Trump Says He’ll Stay Out of Netflix-Paramount Fight
Synopsis
U.S. President Donald Trump says he will not get involved in the billion dollar bidding war between Netflix and Paramount Skydance for Warner Bros Discovery. This represents a significant change from his earlier comments, when he appeared to indicate that he would personally oversee the antitrust review. Both media juggernauts are vying to take Hollywood’s biggest franchises under their wings, and Trump has determined to let the matter be decided by the Department of Justice. The result will determine the fate of iconic labels like HBO, DC Studios and Harry Potter.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has now officially flipped on the massive fight over who gets to buy Warner Bros Discovery. On Wednesday, the President stated that he will not get involved “with reports on the war” between Netflix and Paramount Skydance who have repeatedly clashed over political content as they exchanged legal review jurisdiction to resolve the matter with DOJ.
That’s a huge reversal from just a few months ago. In late 2025, however, the President announced that he will personally have a say in the party’s decision and noted that it was possible for a merged company to be “too big” and to control too large of a portion of the entertainment market. Now, he said, while both sides have contacted him, he thinks it is better to let the government’s lawyers handle the matter. As the President backs down, today’s $82 billion game of chicken between media titans.
The $82.7 Billion All-Cash Bid
Netflix appears to be the frontrunner to acquire Warner Bros Discovery’s studio and streaming arms, which are home to HBO, DC Studios, and the Harry Potter franchise. Netflix’ original overture was a combination of cash and stock, but by January 2026 they were ready to make a gargantuan all-cash offer, $82.7 billion at the time.
By providing only cash, Netflix is seeking to make its deal appear more certain and quicker to complete. Its aim is to have classics such as Casablanca and recent hits like Game of Thrones sit alongside the likes of Stranger Things and Squid Game. If the deal is consummated, Netflix could own more than 30% of the U.S. streaming market and would be a “Hollywood Goliath.”
Paramount’s Hostile Counter-Offer
Although Netflix has a deal with Warner Bros the boss Paramount skydance are not letting it go. Under the direction of Oracle-founder-billionnaire Larry Ellison’s son David, Paramount has opened a “hostile” bid. That is, they are trying to end run the company’s leaders and make a direct appeal to shareholders to buy the company.
Paramount has countered that their deal would be easier for the government to approve because they are not as large in the streaming world as Netflix. But Warner Bros executives have consistently rebuffed the offers from Paramount. They are concerned that Paramount would have to assume an unacceptable amount of debt to finance the deal, perhaps putting the future of the company in jeopardy.
Why Trump’s Decision Matters
For some, President Trump’s decision to avoid the battle is a relief; for others it’s a concern. Paramount’s chief executive, David Ellison, is well-documented person with ties to the Trump administration, through his father. Some believed the relationship could provide Paramount with an edge. Meanwhile, Netflix has been coming under a barrage of criticism in Washington. Just this week, the head of Netflix, Ted Sarandos, faced questions from a Senate panel about whether the merger would harm competition and result in higher prices for consumers.
By turning over the decision to the DOJ, the President is deferring to a decision-making process based on “antitrust” laws, rules crafted to prevent any one company from gaining control of an entire market.
What Happens Next?
The rest is now up to the regulators, and the shareholders at Warner Bros. Investors are likely to vote on the Netflix deal by April 2026.
The next few months will see the government examining how the merger changes your monthly bill and the quality of TV shows. Before any sale takes place, Warner Bros will first spin off its legacy cable TV channels (like CNN) into a new company called Discovery Global.
For now, as the President himself put it, both sides are “beating the hell out of each other.” Whoever emerges victorious will reshape the world of movies and television for decades.
Key Highlights
- President Trump won’t get involved in a bidding war, leaving the decision to the Department of Justice.
- Netflix has made an $82.7 billion cash bid to acquire Warner Bros studios and streaming services.
- The Paramount Skydance is pursuing a hostile bid, that it would encounter fewer legal obstacles.
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