Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos is set to visit the residence of President Donald Trump this week, as negotiations for the streamer’s merger with Warner Bros. reach fever pitch.
Previously, President Trump called on Netflix to fire Susan Rice from the company’s executive board. Last weekend, he posted on Truth Social that Netflix should “immediately” fire the former UN ambassador and board member, or “pay the consequences.”
Ted has claimed this is a “business deal, not a political deal.”
Ted Sarandos will discuss Netflix’s Warner Bros. deal at the White House
Netflix is currently in a tussle with Paramount Skydance for the acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Netflix’s nearly-finalized deal offers a price of $83 billion, while Paramount has recently increased its bid to $31 a share.
“This is a business deal. It’s not a political deal,” Ted told Variety. “This deal is run by the Department of Justice in the U.S. and regulators throughout Europe and around the world.”
The Warner Bros. board of directors said on Tuesday that no final decision has been made, meaning the film and TV is still up for grabs. Another hurdle is the Department of Justice Antitrust Division, which has been investigating Netflix’s market share.
Ted previously met with Trump in November, so it’s not the first time he’s gotten political. However, Paramount isn’t afraid to get cozy with Republicans, either. Just this week, Paramount CEO David Ellison appeared at the State of the Union as a guest of Senator Lindsey Graham.
Additionally, the Netflix head will have to cool Trump’s head when it comes to their executives. Susan Rice, a former Obama administration diplomat, currently sits on the streamer’s board.
“She’s got no talent or skills – Purely a political hack!,” Trump also said of Susan. “HER POWER IS GONE, AND WILL NEVER BE BACK. How much is she being paid, and for what??? Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
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