Trump Threatens Netflix Over Susan Rice Employment
▼ Summary
– Donald Trump threatened Netflix with “consequences” if it did not fire board member Susan Rice, who served under Presidents Obama and Biden.
– Trump’s threat was prompted by Rice’s comments on a podcast, where she criticized corporations that appease him, and by right-wing influencer Laura Loomer highlighting her Netflix role.
– Laura Loomer accused Rice of threatening political retribution and noted Netflix’s attempted merger with Warner Bros., which Trump’s post did not specifically address.
– Trump framed the situation as part of a narrative where he is a victim of political persecution by Democrats who have weaponized the government.
– While unspecified, the implied consequence is that Trump might block Netflix’s purchase of Warner Bros., favoring a sale to Paramount due to its history with Trump critics.
The political and corporate worlds collided this weekend as former President Donald Trump issued a direct threat to Netflix, demanding the streaming giant fire board member Susan Rice or face unspecified “consequences.” This demand stems from comments Rice made on a podcast, which were amplified by right-wing figures and framed as a threat of political retribution against companies. The situation highlights the ongoing tensions between Trump’s political movement and corporate America, with a potential multi-billion dollar media merger now seemingly caught in the crossfire.
Susan Rice, who served as National Security Advisor under President Obama and Domestic Policy Advisor under President Biden, recently appeared on Preet Bharara’s podcast. During the conversation, she suggested that corporations choosing to “take a knee to Trump” would ultimately be held accountable. This remark was seized upon by conservative influencer Laura Loomer, who accused Rice of threatening half the country with “weaponized government and political retribution.” Loomer also pointedly noted that Netflix, where Rice sits on the board, is actively pursuing a merger with Warner Bros.
Trump quickly amplified this narrative, which aligns with his frequent claim of being a victim of political persecution. He asserted that it is Democrats, not himself, who have weaponized government institutions against opponents. In a post on his social media platform, Trump stated, “Netflix should fire racist, Trump Deranged Susan Rice, IMMEDIATELY, or pay the consequences.” While the post did not detail what those consequences might be, the context strongly suggests he is threatening to intervene to block Netflix’s attempted acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery if his demand is not met.
Industry analysts have long speculated that Trump would prefer to see Warner Bros. Discovery merge with a different entity, such as Paramount Global. Paramount, controlled by the Ellison family, has demonstrated a willingness to target critics of the former Trump administration in its media coverage. By threatening Netflix, Trump appears to be leveraging his political influence to sway a major business deal, intertwining corporate strategy with partisan disputes. The episode underscores how statements from former officials can become flashpoints, drawing companies into the nation’s deeply polarized political battles.
(Source: The Verge)
