Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos speaks at the unveiling of comedian Ricky Gervais’ star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on May 30, 2025 in Los Angeles, USA.
Mario Anzuoni | Reuters
Netflix Chief Executive Officer Ted Sarandos is scheduled to head to the White House on Thursday to discuss efforts to acquire part of the company. warner bros discovery Paramount is gradually upping its rival’s bid, Politico reported Wednesday.
The trip comes five days after President Donald Trump demanded that Netflix immediately fire former Obama administration official Susan Rice from its board of directors or “pay the bill”, according to reports.
It was not immediately clear whether Sarandos would meet with Trump during the trip, a person familiar with the discussions told Politico.
Netflix declined CNBC’s request for comment on this report. Asked by CNBC to confirm the visit, the White House said: “We do not discuss private meetings that may or may not take place.”
The takeover battle over WBD, like many other business deals over the past year, is intertwined with the president’s politics.
President Trump said weeks ago that he would not participate in the multibillion-dollar bidding war between Netflix, which wants to buy WBD’s studios and streaming brands, and Paramount, which wants to buy all of WBD’s operations.
But in a post on Truth Social on Saturday afternoon, Trump appeared to change course, calling on Netflix to remove Rice from its board of directors, calling him a “racist” and a “political hack.”
Truth Social’s Trump linked to an
Loomer’s post emphasized that Rice, who served in the Obama, Clinton and Biden administrations, predicted in a recent podcast appearance that when Trump’s political opponents return to power, the companies and other institutions that placated him will be held “accountable.”
WBD’s proposed transaction raises antitrust concerns. The Justice Department is investigating whether Netflix’s proposed partnership could harm competition.
Other dynamics are also fueling speculation that politics may be involved in the takeover battle.
paramount skydance CEO David Ellison said: oracle Its founder, Larry Ellison, is one of the richest men in the world and a major donor to the Republican Party.
David Ellison attended the President’s State of the Union address on Tuesday night as a guest of Trump supporter Sen. Lindsey Graham (RS.C.).
Paramount recently raised its offer for Warner Bros. to an all-cash offer of $31 per share, which WBD said Tuesday could be “reasonably expected” to be higher than Netflix’s offer.
This is developing news. Please check back for the latest information.
