PresidentDonald Trumpweighed in on Netflix's proposed$72 billion dealto acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, saying he would be involved in the review and that the combined entity's market share "could be a problem."
On Dec. 7, Trump told reporters as he arrived at theKennedy Center Honorsin Washington, D.C., that he had met with Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos. The president did not say whether he favored approval for the deal, but praised Sarandos and noted that Netflix has a "very big market share."
"And when they have Warner Brothers... that share goes up a lot," Trump said. "That's going to be for some economists to tell... But it is a big market share. There's no question it could be a problem."
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend the 48th annual Kennedy Center Honors on Dec. 7, 2025. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
(Back row, L-R) Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss, Amb. Richard Grenell and (front row, L-R) Sylvester Stallone, George Strait, Gloria Gaynor, Michael Crawford pose for the honoree class photo at the 48th Kennedy Center Honors Medallion Reception at the U.S. Department of State on Dec. 6, 2025, in Washington, D.C. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kennedy Center honoree Gloria Gaynor attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors at The Kennedy Center on Dec. 7, 2025, in Washington, D.C." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kennedy Center honoree Paul Stanley and his wife Erin Sutton arrive for the 48th Kennedy Center Honors gala." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kennedy Center honoree Sylvester Stallone and his family arrive for the 48th Kennedy Center Honors gala." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Gene Simmons, Peter Criss and Paul Stanley of KISS attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors gala." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kennedy Center honoree Michael Crawford attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kennedy Center honoree George Strait attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kennedy Center honoree Gene Simmons and his wife Shannon Tweed arrive for the 48th Kennedy Center Honors gala." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sylvester Stallone and his wife Jennifer Flavin arrive for the 48th Kennedy Center Honors gala. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Erin Sutton and Paul Stanley of KISS attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
First Lady Melania Trump attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Actor Neal McDonough and Ruve McDonough attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Shannon Tweed, Gene Simmons, Gigi Criss, Peter Criss, Erin Sutton and Paul Stanley attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Frank Stallone attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sylvester Stallone attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
With a bandage on his hand, Donald Trump and Melania Trump attend the 48th annual Kennedy Center Honors." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Dr. Mehmet Oz attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Blessing Offor attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
U.S. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick and his partner, journalist Jacqui Heinrich, attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Mike Farris attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Michael Boulos and Tiffany Trump attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Paul Stanley of KISS attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Singer Chris Blue and wife Stephanie Dunkley attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> See moments from the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors hosted by Trump
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend the 48th annual Kennedy Center Honors on Dec. 7, 2025.
Netflix announced on Dec. 5 that itagreed to buy Warner Bros. Discovery's TV and film studiosand streaming division for $72 billion, a deal that would give the streaming pioneer control of one of Hollywood's most prized and oldest assets.
The agreement follows a weekslong bidding war in which Netflix seized the lead with an almost $28-a-share offer that eclipsedParamount Skydance's nearly $24 bid for the whole of Warner Bros. Discovery, including the cable TV assets slated for a spinoff.
The planned acquisition has facedpolitical pushback and antitrust concerns. Republicans in Congress warned that a Netflix acquisition would reduce consumer choice and give the company an unacceptably high share of the streaming market.
Netflix agrees to buy Warner Bros.Here's what that will look like
Sen. Mike Lee, a Republican from Utah who leads the antitrust subcommittee, said on Dec. 3 that a Netflix buy of Warner Bros. Discovery's streaming assets "should send alarm to antitrust enforcers around the world." Democrats, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, have also criticized the agreement.
"This deal looks like an anti-monopoly nightmare," Warren said ina statement. "A Netflix-Warner Bros. would create one massive media giant with control of close to half of the streaming market — threatening to force Americans into higher subscription prices and fewer choices over what and how they watch, while putting American workers at risk."
Netflix has said the deal would create jobs and give its 300 million subscribers "more bang for their buck." The deal, which would eliminate competition between HBO Max and Netflix, is likely to face significant antitrust review by the Justice Department.
Contributing: Mike Snider, Daniel de Visé, and James Powel, USA TODAY; Reuters
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Trump says he will be involved in review of Netflix-Warner Bros. deal
