Trump intervenes in the Netflix and Warner Bros. mega-merger: dispute over market power escalates
8 December 2025 16:39
US President Donald Trump has said he will have an impact on the decision on whether one of the largest mergers in the global entertainment industry – Netflix’s acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery studios and streaming business – can take place.
Reuters writes about this, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
Trump’s comments came after the companies announced a deal worth $72 billion ($82.7 billion including debt).
What Trump said
Speaking to reporters in Washington, Trump noted that the concentration of such a large market share is a concern.
“I will be involved in making this decision… This is a large market share. No doubt it could be a problem,” he said.
However, the president did not specify whether he supports the approval of the deal. However, the statement itself may indicate the White House’s willingness to take a more active role in reviewing major media mergers at a time when control of Big Tech and streaming giants is one of the hottest political topics in the United States.
The planned merger has already drawn bipartisan criticism in Congress
Representatives of both the Democratic and Republican parties warn of the risk that the new media conglomerate will gain excessive influence in the content and streaming platforms market.
Opponents of the merger point out that Netflix still holds a leading position in the streaming sector, while Warner Bros. Discovery owns some of the most influential brands and studios in the world, from HBO to Warner Bros Pictures.
What’s at stake
Netflix seeks to strengthen its position in the face of fierce competition from Disney, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. The acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery could significantly strengthen the company’s content library and production capabilities.
At the same time, regulators – and now, it seems, the president himself – may raise the question of market monopolization, especially given that the value of Warner Bros. Discovery’s assets in the deal are estimated at more than $82 billion.
The deal is expected to undergo a thorough antitrust review in the US and Europe.
It is not yet known whether the president will support or block the merger. However, it is clear that the future of this mega-dollar will be determined not only by market arguments, but also by political sentiment in Washington.
