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Donald Trump is staying on the sidelines. The US president, who at one point hinted he might weigh in on the blockbuster media fight between Netflix and Paramount Skydance over Warner Bros. Discovery, has now decided to sit this one out.
In a candid chat with NBC News’ Tom Llamas ahead of the 2026 Super Bowl, Trump admitted he hasn’t been involved and is letting the Justice Department handle the drama.
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Also Read: Netflix acquires Warner Bros: Will this $72 billion deal save or shatter Hollywood?
“I haven’t been involved,” Trump said. “I must say, I guess I’m considered to be a very strong president. I’ve been called by both sides. It’s the two sides, but I’ve decided I shouldn’t be involved. The Justice Department will handle it.”
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One winner, no surprises
Trump didn’t hold back on acknowledging the tension. He recognised both companies’ competing claims while reminding that, in the end, only one will come out on top.
“There’s a theory that one of the companies is too big and it shouldn’t be allowed to do it, and the other company is saying something else,” Trump said. “They’re beating the hell out of each other. And there’ll be a winner.”
His comments mark a sharp shift from last month, when he had suggested he might personally get involved in deciding whether Netflix should be allowed to snatch up Warner Bros.
The deal that has everyone talking
The media world has been buzzing since December, when Netflix, co-led by Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters, announced plans to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery including HBO and HBO Max for a jaw-dropping $82 billion.
But Paramount Skydance, led by David Ellison (and backed by his father, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison), countered with a hostile $108.7 billion offer for the entire company, cable networks included. Notably, the Ellisons are known Trump supporters.
Warner Bros. ultimately rejected Paramount’s offers, preferring Netflix’s bid. That move triggered a lawsuit from Paramount Skydance, demanding more transparency on how Warner Bros. made its decision. Netflix quickly sweetened its offer, turning it into an all-cash deal putting even more pressure on Paramount.
Trump’s Hollywood pivot
Just a few weeks ago, Trump sounded more curious than hands-off. When asked if Netflix should get the green light, he said:
“Well, that’s the question. They have a very big market share, and when they have Warner Bros., you know, that share goes up a lot. So I don’t know. That’s going to be for some economists to tell. … And I’ll be involved in that decision, too, but they have a very big market share.”
Clearly, that’s changed. The president now sees the media battle as a Justice Department matter leaving the streaming giants to duke it out on their own. Or is he just playing?
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