Netflix Ignores Trump’s Ultimatum On Rice Removal

President Trump demands Netflix fire Obama-Biden holdover Susan Rice from its board, calling out her anti-conservative threats, yet Netflix’s CEO brazenly dismisses the call amid a massive merger under DOJ review.

Story Highlights

Trump labels Susan Rice a “racist, Trump Deranged” political hack on Truth Social, demanding her ouster or “consequences.”
Rice warned on podcast that companies aligning with Trump face Democratic “accountability” if leftists regain power.
Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos brushes off the demand with no response, keeping Rice despite her partisan attacks.
Clash erupts during Netflix’s $83 billion Warner Bros. bid, facing DOJ antitrust scrutiny Trump could influence.
Rice, with deep Obama-Biden ties, symbolizes Hollywood’s resistance to Trump’s America First agenda.

Trump Calls Out Netflix Board Hack

President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social demanding Netflix immediately fire board member Susan Rice. He described her as a “racist, Trump Deranged” political hack lacking talent. The demand followed Rice’s recent appearance on the *Stay Tuned with Preet* podcast. There, she warned corporations “taking a knee” to Trump would face accountability from future Democrats. Trump reposted criticism from activist Laura Loomer, tying the issue to Netflix’s aggressive merger pursuits. This direct confrontation highlights ongoing tensions between Trump’s administration and Hollywood elites.

Susan Rice’s Longtime Netflix Role

Susan Rice joined Netflix’s board in March 2018, praised by then-CEO Reed Hastings for her intelligence and global insight. A Stanford and Oxford-educated Rhodes Scholar, Rice served as Obama UN Ambassador, National Security Advisor, and Biden Domestic Policy Advisor. She stepped down in 2021 but rejoined in 2023, sitting on the Nominating and Governance Committee. Her history includes 2017 controversies with Trump over alleged unmasking leaks. Rice’s presence on the 11-member board represents persistent Democratic influence in media, frustrating conservatives tired of woke corporate boards undermining traditional values.

Netflix Ignores Demand Amid Merger Battle

Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos reportedly dismissed Trump’s demand, with the company issuing no public response or action. Rice remains on the board per latest records. The standoff occurs as Netflix pursues an $83 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. This bid competes with Paramount Skydance’s $108 billion rival offer, both under early DOJ antitrust review. Trump’s intervention raises questions about regulatory influence, given his administration’s oversight. Netflix prioritizes the deal over political pressure, signaling corporate resistance to accountability for anti-Trump partisanship.

Implications for Media and Governance

Trump supporters view the demand as justified pushback against Rice’s biased warnings, which threaten businesses supporting conservative policies. Critics claim it blurs government and corporate lines, but facts show Rice initiated the feud with her partisan podcast threats. Short-term, political noise risks merger delays and stock volatility for Netflix shareholders. Long-term, it challenges Hollywood’s independence norms during consolidations. Conservatives see this as Trump protecting American interests against globalist media hacks eroding free enterprise and family values through leftist agendas.

Stakeholder Power Dynamics

Decision-makers Hastings and Sarandos control board changes, prioritizing mergers over Trump’s call. Trump leverages DOJ review as external pressure amid his history of media feuds. Rice’s non-executive role limits her direct power but amplifies Democratic symbolism. Netflix’s market dominance clashes with regulatory scrutiny. This dynamic underscores broader culture war battles, where corporate boards shield Obama-era figures despite their attacks on Trump-aligned patriots. No escalations reported as Netflix stays silent.

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/example-truth-social-post

Expert Views on the Clash

Industry experts note Trump’s remarks highlight politics-business intersections in mega-deals. Trump backers praise targeting media bias; detractors decry overreach. Neutral analysts point to unpredictability in antitrust-sensitive streaming M&A. Rice’s Brookings and Harvard ties position her as a governance asset to some, but conservatives recognize her warnings as divisive hacksmanship. The episode fuels debates on board independence versus accountability for promoting government overreach and anti-conservative agendas.