WASHINGTON, D.C. – President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday cast doubt on Netflix’s proposed $83 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, labeling the entertainment behemoth’s expansion as a “disaster in the making” that could stifle competition and inflate streaming costs for American families. In a Truth Social post dated December 7, 2025, Trump – fresh off his November victory – questioned the deal’s antitrust implications, urging the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to scrutinize the merger amid his administration’s promised crackdown on Big Tech monopolies.
The skepticism arrives as Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos and Warner Bros. Discovery chief David Zaslav ink the blockbuster pact, unveiled last week in a joint statement hailing it as a “transformative union” that bundles HBO Max’s prestige dramas with Netflix’s subscriber juggernaut, potentially reaching 500 million global households. The all-stock transaction, valued at $83 billion, would create a $200 billion content empire, dominating original programming and sports rights – from NFL Sunday Ticket to Formula 1. Sarandos touted the synergy: “Together, we’ll redefine storytelling, delivering unparalleled value to creators and fans alike.”
Trump’s barb, however, struck a populist chord: “Netflix buying Warner Bros.? That’s not innovation – that’s a Hollywood cartel. Prices go up, choices go down, and jobs get shipped overseas. FTC, do your job before it’s too late!” His post, which garnered 2.5 million views in hours, echoes campaign rhetoric against media consolidation, drawing parallels to his first-term blocks on AT&T-Time Warner. Critics like Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) piled on, warning of “unfettered power” that could squeeze independent filmmakers, while supporters hail the merger as a bulwark against TikTok’s short-form threat.
For the Philippines, where Netflix commands 8 million subscribers and Warner Bros. IPs like Harry Potter and Dune dominate local screens, the deal’s ripple effects loom large. Pinoy creators fear reduced opportunities for regional content – Netflix’s Philippine originals like Trese and Linlang have boosted local talent, but a Warner infusion could prioritize Hollywood blockbusters. “It’s exciting for variety, but we need safeguards for Filipino stories,” noted filmmaker Antoinette Jadaone, whose UnTrue streamed on HBO Go.
The FTC, under outgoing Chair Lina Khan, has signaled review, with a 2026 timeline that could spill into Trump’s term. Zaslav dismissed the noise: “This is about scale for creativity, not control.” As Davos whispers of media’s future echo, Trump’s tweet feels like a teaser trailer – will the merger merge into history, or hit the editing room floor?