Netflix boss responds to Trump's call to fire Susan Rice: 'This is a business deal, not a political deal'
Business Insider
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has publicly addressed President Donald Trump's call for the company to remove Susan Rice from its board, emphasizing that Netflix's bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery is a "business deal, not a political deal." The deal, currently under antitrust review by the U.S. Department of Justice and regulators globally, has drawn unexpected attention due to Trump's involvement. In a Truth Social post, Trump demanded Netflix fire Rice, a respected former national security advisor in Democratic administrations, after she criticized corporations that "take a knee" to him in a podcast. Sarandos downplayed the significance of Trump weighing in, stating, "He likes to do a lot of things on social media," while reiterating that the deal is being handled by regulators.
The situation is particularly delicate for Netflix as it competes with Paramount to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery. While Netflix seeks to purchase streaming and studio assets, Paramount aims to buy the entire company. Sarandos framed the acquisition as a "vertical merger" aimed at fostering economic growth, arguing that it would add to market competition rather than reduce it. However, antitrust concerns remain a major hurdle for both companies, with Paramount under pressure to increase its bid by Monday's deadline.
Trump's demand highlights the intersection of politics and business in high-stakes mergers. Susan Rice's role as a prominent figure in national security adds an unusual twist, with Business Insider's Peter Kafka noting this as an "extraordinary use of power." The episode underscores how future White House involvement could shape the outcome of major corporate deals, even under changing political landscapes. For readers interested in business and antitrust issues, this story reflects the potential for political influence over large
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Originally published on Business Insider on 2/23/2026