Trump To The Rescue: Saving Warner Bros. For Paramount Over Woke Netflix?

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The competition to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery has taken an unexpected turn with the involvement of former President Donald Trump.

Although the president previously created distance between himself and the deal, and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, had withdrawn, Trump now appears to be strongly supporting Paramount in its dealings with Netflix.

Paramount Skydance’s “Plan D”

Charles Gasparino of the New York Post reports that Paramount and Skydance are now pursuing a fourth attempt to challenge Netflix’s current leading bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery.

Despite trying several approaches – like offering $30 a share in cash, considering a hostile takeover, and even hinting at a lawsuit – the studio, supported by Ellison, is now focusing on a more patient, long-term strategy.

I’m hearing from people in the know that there’s a big push to really emphasize all the potential legal and regulatory hurdles facing the Netflix-Warner Bros. Discovery merger. It seems like some are hoping all those complications will ultimately cause the deal to fall apart.

And now, they may have found their biggest ally yet: President Trump.

Trump Targets Netflix Takeover

Donald Trump shared an article from One America News on his social media platform, Truth Social, criticizing Netflix. The article, titled “Stop the Netflix Cultural Takeover,” accuses Netflix of a politically motivated power play by a media company pushing progressive viewpoints.

The article claims Netflix is trying to gain an enormous amount of influence over popular culture by potentially buying Warner Bros. Discovery, the company that owns well-known franchises like DC Comics, HBO, and Harry Potter.

The concern is that if Netflix owns these stories, it could have unprecedented power over what we watch and believe, potentially shaping characters, history, social standards, and even which ideas are shared with the public.

Many people interpreted Trump’s sharing of the post as support for Paramount Skydance’s competing offer and a signal to regulators that he was watching closely.

It also follows Netflix’s biggest show, Stranger Things, going completely woke in its final season.

Regulatory Chaos Incoming?

I’ve been saying this for months, and I’m glad the Ellisons and RedBird Capital agree: a merger between Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery would be a huge headache for regulators – it just wouldn’t fly.

Netflix has made an offer of $27.75 per share to buy Warner Bros. studio and HBO Max, combining stock and cash. There’s an additional potential $3 per share if a separate company formed from channels like CNN, TNT, and Discovery succeeds. However, investors are hesitant because this new company would start with $15 billion in debt, making that extra $3 per share seem unlikely.

Since the competition for the streaming rights heated up, Netflix’s value has dropped by more than $160 billion, leading some to wonder if they can actually afford the deal. The Ellisons are warning that this decrease in Netflix stock value could also create problems for Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders.

And that’s before regulators weigh in.

A merger between Netflix, the leading streaming service, and Warner Bros. Discovery, currently ranked third, could face significant antitrust challenges. Even a long-time Warner Bros. Discovery investor, Mario Gabelli, believes the deal is overly complicated and should be streamlined, emphasizing the importance of readily available funds. He specifically supports the all-cash offer from the Ellisons.

Is Netflix Ideologically Preferred?

The most surprising accusation is that Warner Bros. Discovery’s board preferred Netflix not due to cost, but because of political considerations.

The author of the OAN article appeared on Congressman Matt Gaetz’s show and claimed Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) chose Netflix over Paramount because of political beliefs, even though Paramount offered more money. Gaetz went further, suggesting WBD’s leaders may have put their own political preferences ahead of what’s best for the company’s owners and investors.

If true, it could trigger a wave of scrutiny and possibly litigation.

What Happens Now?

Netflix is facing increasing criticism from investors and supporters of Donald Trump, suggesting a shift in public opinion might be happening.

Paramount Skydance’s decision to remain silent while Netflix struggles – a strategy they call ‘Plan D’ – could turn out to be a brilliant one.

With Donald Trump suggesting he might get involved, a potential merger between Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery could face scrutiny from the Justice Department or Federal Trade Commission. If regulators start investigating, the deal’s future becomes highly uncertain.

Paramount Skydance may still get the last laugh, with help from the former President.

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2026-01-12 12:02