Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos Heads To White House To Discuss Susan Rice

Forbes Business

by Rick Ellis, Contributor

February 26, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos is set to meet with White House officials as part of his efforts to secure antitrust approval for Netflix’s proposed $23 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. The visit comes amid growing political pressure, led by former President Donald Trump, who has called for the removal of Susan Rice, a Netflix board member, over her critical remarks about him on a recent podcast. While Sarandos has downplayed the situation as a business deal rather than a political one, the meeting highlights the complex interplay between politics and corporate strategy in this high-stakes merger. The Trump administration’s involvement is significant despite its lack of direct authority over antitrust decisions. The White House’s influence could still play a pivotal role in shaping the outcome of the merger. Rice’s comments on the podcast “Stay Tuned For Preet” criticized companies that aligned with Trump during his presidency, suggesting they may face consequences as political tides shift. This has drawn sharp rebukes from conservative media and Trump himself, who has demanded her removal via his Truth Social account. Sarandos, however, has emphasized that the merger is a business decision and not tied to politics, though he acknowledged Trump’s tendency to engage in social media-driven controversies. The merger’s fate now hinges on antitrust approval, which is contingent upon Netflix securing regulatory clearance. Meanwhile, Paramount Skydance remains a potential competitor for Warner Bros. Discovery, adding another layer of complexity to the deal. If the Warner Bros. Discovery board deems Paramount’s offer superior, Netflix would have four days to either match or exceed it. The merger’s completion could take several years due to antitrust reviews in multiple jurisdictions, including the U.S. and Europe. This situation underscores how political dynamics can

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Originally published on Forbes Business on 2/26/2026