Trump demands Netflix remove former Obama official from board
Financial Times
February 22, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
President Donald Trump has intervened in a high-stakes battle between streaming platforms and traditional media companies, demanding that Netflix remove former Obama official Peter Earnest from its board of directors. This move comes amid ongoing tensions over the proposed merger between Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) and Paramount Global, which has drawn significant attention from antitrust regulators and stakeholders across the entertainment industry.
The conflict escalated as Trump’s demand highlights the broader fight between streaming giants like Netflix and traditional media players such as Paramount Skydance, a division of Paramount Global. WBD, which includes major studios like Warner Bros and HBO, is attempting to acquire Paramount in a deal valued at $68.5 billion—a move that has raised concerns about market dominance and antitrust violations.
Analysts suggest Trump’s intervention reflects his broader efforts to influence corporate decisions, particularly in industries he perceives as critical to American competitiveness. This latest development underscores the growing political stakes in the media sector, where mergers and acquisitions are increasingly becoming flashpoints for ideological and economic battles.
The situation also raises questions about the potential implications for antitrust enforcement under a Trump-led administration. Critics argue that such direct intervention could set a precedent for future corporate governance disputes, potentially stifling
Verticals
businessfinance
Originally published on Financial Times on 2/22/2026