Trump demands Netflix fire Susan Rice during DOJ review
On February 22, 2026, President Donald Trump demanded that Netflix remove former national security adviser Susan Rice from its board and warned of consequences if the company did not comply, according to CNBC. The demand arrived as the U.S. Department of Justice reviews Netflixโs proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, placing presidential commentary alongside an active regulatory process.
As reported by Business Insider, Trump weighed in amid negotiations over the Warner Bros. deal while the DOJ conducts an antitrust probe. That overlap has prompted questions about how public political pressure could intersect with board governance during merger scrutiny.
Why it matters: antitrust probe and political pressure concerns
Experts cited by The Information have warned that tying a personnel ultimatum to an ongoing merger review could be read as attempted regulatory interference. In practice, rhetoric of this kind can add perception risk around process integrity even as enforcement decisions are ultimately grounded in competition-law standards.
Netflix leadership has pushed back on claims of political bias in a recent Senate setting, positioning the companyโs slate as ideologically broad, according to Nasdaq. In that context, โfor left, right and center,โ said Ted Sarandos, Co-CEO of Netflix, at a Senate Judiciary Antitrust hearing on February 6, 2026. The testimony underscores how the company frames its market role while regulators examine the Warner transaction.
Immediate impact on Netflix, Warner deal, and institutional reactions
At the time of this writing, Netflix shares closed at 78.67, up 2.17% on February 20, and traded at 78.57 after hours, down 0.12%, based on data from Yahoo Finance. These figures provide context only and do not reflect a view on how the DOJ review or political commentary might affect valuation.
On Capitol Hill, Senator Eric Schmitt has challenged Netflix on alleged political tilt in content and employee giving, reflecting scrutiny from some Republicans, according to the senatorโs office. Netflix has denied a partisan agenda at the same February hearing, while the DOJโs review proceeds on a separate legal track.
For the merger, the immediate effect of Trumpโs post is uncertain; antitrust outcomes turn on market definition, competitive effects, and potential remedies under established law. Political statements may shape public narratives, but they do not determine the agencyโs legal analysis.
Concise timeline of statements and regulatory milestones
February 6, 2026: At a Senate Judiciary Antitrust hearing, Netflixโs Ted Sarandos denied that the company operates with a political agenda and described its slate as ideologically broad. The exchange set an early backdrop for subsequent political scrutiny.
February 22, 2026: President Trump publicly demanded that Netflix remove Susan Rice from its board while the DOJ is reviewing the Warner Bros. Discovery deal. The statement placed additional attention on corporate governance amid merger review.
Ongoing: The U.S. Department of Justice is conducting an antitrust review of the proposed NetflixโWarner Bros. Discovery tie-up. No timetable for a decision has been disclosed in the provided materials.
Ongoing: Negotiations over the Warner Bros. Discovery transaction continue alongside regulatory scrutiny. Any agreement would still be subject to regulatory clearance.
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