Trump Out, Paramount Still Confident In WBD Win Over Netflix

Donald Trump has stepped back from getting involved in the competition between streaming services, particularly the one involving Warner Bros. Discovery. However, the battle for viewers isn’t finished, and Paramount still faces significant challenges.

Trump: “I haven’t been involved”

In an interview with Tom Llamas from NBC News in the Oval Office, Donald Trump said he won’t be involved in the developing legal battle between Netflix and Paramount regarding Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD).

I wasn’t involved in this situation,” Trump stated. “I’m seen as a strong president, and both sides have reached out to me. However, I’ve decided it’s best if I stay out of it and let the Justice Department handle things.

While not naming the companies directly, Trump did acknowledge concerns about media consolidation.

One idea being discussed is that a particular company has become too powerful and should be restricted. The other company disagrees, and they’re currently locked in a fierce competition. Ultimately, one of them will come out on top.

Senate Hearings Show Netflix Still Under Fire

Trump stepping back doesn’t clear the road for Netflix.

During recent Senate hearings and continuing on social media, several Republican senators have been strongly questioning Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos about the company’s content and its leading position in the streaming market.

Senator Josh Hawley claimed that Netflix is promoting beliefs about transgender people through shows aimed at children.

Paramount May Not Need Trump: Betting on a DOJ Block

Even without Trump’s direct support, Paramount and Skydance, meanwhile, remain optimistic.

According to Puck, Paramount and Skydance have hired Makan Delrahim as their new chief legal officer. Delrahim previously led the Department of Justice’s antitrust division and famously blocked AT&T’s purchase of Time Warner. Experts now suggest the DOJ might try to stop any large-scale merger between Paramount and Skydance as well.

According to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, Blair Effron, an advisor at PSKY M&A, believes his team will ultimately be successful in a deal involving Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD).

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2026-02-05 05:31