Washington, D.C. — Former President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric against Netflix on Thursday, warning the streaming giant that it would face "consequences" if it did not immediately remove Susan Rice from its board of directors. The threat came in response to recent comments Rice made criticizing corporations that align themselves with Trump, remarks that have ignited a firestorm of debate over political retribution and corporate independence.
Susan Rice, who served as national security adviser under President Barack Obama and as director of the Domestic Policy Council under President Joe Biden, appeared on Preet Bharara's podcast earlier this week. During the discussion, Rice addressed the growing influence of Trump and his allies on American businesses. "Those who ‘take a knee to Trump’ will be held accountable," she stated, adding that such companies would be "caught with more than their pants down." Her words were part of a broader conversation about the risks corporations face in navigating the political landscape ahead of the 2024 election.
Right-wing commentator Laura Loomer quickly seized on Rice's podcast appearance, posting on social media that the former official was "threatening half the country with weaponized government and political retribution." Loomer, known for her provocative online presence and support for Trump, highlighted Rice's position on Netflix's board amid reports of the company's potential merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. According to Loomer, Rice's statements represented an abuse of power, though she provided no specific evidence beyond the podcast clip.
Trump, who has frequently portrayed himself as a victim of political persecution by Democrats, amplified Loomer's post on his Truth Social platform. In a message timestamped late Wednesday evening, he wrote, "Netflix should fire racist, Trump Deranged Susan Rice, IMMEDIATELY, or pay the consequences." The post did not elaborate on what those consequences might entail, leaving room for speculation among observers. Trump's intervention fits into a pattern of his public criticisms of media and entertainment figures he views as adversaries, a tactic he employed throughout his presidency and 2020 campaign.
The timing of Trump's comments coincides with ongoing negotiations over Netflix's reported interest in acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery, a deal valued at potentially tens of billions of dollars. Sources familiar with the discussions, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicate that the merger talks have been in preliminary stages since early 2023, with regulatory approvals from the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice seen as key hurdles. Netflix, headquartered in Los Gatos, California, has not publicly confirmed the pursuit but has been vocal about expanding its content library through strategic partnerships.
Analysts suggest that Trump's warning could be interpreted as a veiled threat to influence federal regulators if he returns to the White House in January 2025. While the former president holds no official power currently, his statements often foreshadow policy priorities for a potential second term. In the past, Trump has expressed preferences for media consolidations that align with his interests; for instance, he has reportedly favored a Warner Bros. acquisition by Paramount Global, which is controlled by the Ellison family. Shari Redstone, through National Amusements, holds significant sway at Paramount, and the company has faced scrutiny for its handling of content critical of conservative figures.
Susan Rice joined Netflix's board in 2018, bringing her extensive government experience to the company's governance. At 58 years old, Rice has been a prominent Democratic figure, having also served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations from 2009 to 2013. Her tenure at Netflix has focused on diversity initiatives and global policy, areas where her expertise from the Obama administration proved valuable. Neither Rice nor Netflix has issued a public response to Trump's demands as of Thursday afternoon.
The episode underscores the intensifying clash between politics and Hollywood, where streaming services like Netflix have become battlegrounds for cultural and ideological wars. Netflix, with over 260 million global subscribers as of its latest quarterly report in July 2023, has invested heavily in original programming that often tackles social issues, drawing ire from conservative critics. Trump's post drew immediate backlash from free speech advocates, who argued it exemplified authoritarian tendencies. "This is a direct assault on independent voices in media," said Ari Melber, MSNBC host and legal analyst, in a Thursday segment.
On the other side, Trump supporters rallied behind the former president's call. Steve Bannon, host of the "War Room" podcast and a key Trump ally, echoed the sentiment during his morning show, claiming Rice's comments were "a declaration of war on American businesses." Bannon urged listeners to boycott Netflix, citing the platform's alleged liberal bias in content selection. Such boycotts have been a recurring strategy among right-leaning groups, though their impact on Netflix's stock—which closed at $682.36 on Thursday—remained negligible, up 1.2% from the previous day.
Context for Rice's podcast remarks traces back to a series of corporate decisions following Trump's 2024 primary victories. Several Fortune 500 companies, including AT&T and Comcast, have donated to Republican causes or hosted Trump events, prompting criticism from progressive activists. Rice's warning appears aimed at these entities, suggesting potential legal or reputational fallout under a future Democratic administration. However, Loomer and Trump framed it as an existential threat to half the electorate, with Loomer tweeting to her 1.2 million followers that "Susan Rice is plotting revenge against Trump voters."
The Netflix-Warner Bros. merger speculation adds another layer of intrigue. Warner Bros. Discovery, formed in 2022 from the merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery Inc., has struggled with debt exceeding $40 billion and declining linear TV revenues. A tie-up with Netflix could create a behemoth controlling a significant share of the U.S. streaming market, estimated at 40% by some projections. Paramount, meanwhile, has been in talks for its own mergers, including with Skydance Media, but Trump's apparent endorsement has fueled rumors of political favoritism.
Legal experts caution that any attempt by Trump to interfere in corporate deals would face constitutional challenges. "Presidential influence over antitrust decisions must be grounded in law, not personal grudges," noted Richard Blumenthal, a Democratic senator from Connecticut, in a statement to reporters. Blumenthal, who serves on the Judiciary Committee, promised oversight hearings if such interference occurs. Republicans, however, dismissed the concerns, with Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas calling Rice's comments "the real threat to free enterprise."
As the 2024 election approaches, with Trump leading polls in key swing states like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin by margins of 3-5 points according to a September 2023 Emerson College survey, the intersection of politics and business is under heightened scrutiny. Netflix's board, which includes figures like Reed Hastings and Anne Sweeney, meets quarterly in Los Angeles and New York, and Rice's role has not been a point of contention until now. The company's spokesperson declined to comment on personnel matters, reiterating Netflix's commitment to diverse viewpoints in its governance.
The broader implications of Trump's threat extend to the health of American democracy and media freedom. Historians draw parallels to past instances where political leaders pressured broadcasters, such as Richard Nixon's feud with the networks in the 1970s. Today, with social media amplifying such disputes instantaneously, the stakes feel higher. Organizations like the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press issued a statement Thursday, urging restraint and emphasizing that "corporate boards should not bow to political intimidation."
Looking ahead, the situation remains fluid. Netflix's merger ambitions could drag on for months, involving filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and international regulators like the European Commission. Trump, campaigning in battleground states this week—including a rally in Appleton, Wisconsin, on Friday—continues to rail against perceived enemies in the media. Whether his words translate to action depends on the November 2024 outcome, but for now, they have spotlighted the fragile balance between power, profit, and principle in Washington's corridors.