How Netflix’s $72bn Warner Bros deal could be a problem – Trump 

US President Donald Trump has warned that Netflix’s planned $72bn takeover of Warner Bros Discovery “could be a problem” for the entertainment industry, saying the streaming giant already controls a huge share of the market.

Speaking at an event in Washington DC on Sunday, Trump said Netflix has a “very big market share”, and the size of the combined companies “could go up by a lot” if the deal goes through.

Netflix and Warner Bros announced the agreement on Friday, a move that would bring hit franchises like Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Looney Tunes, The Matrix, and Lord of the Rings under Netflix’s platform. The deal is still subject to approval by US competition regulators.

Trump said he would be personally involved in the decision-making process and repeatedly stressed concerns about Netflix’s dominance. He also revealed that Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos recently visited the Oval Office, describing him as “a great person” who has “done one of the greatest jobs in the history of movies.”

Industry experts say the major concern is the combination of Netflix with Warner Bros’ powerful HBO streaming arm. While Netflix leads the global streaming market, Warner Bros owns one of the biggest libraries of films and TV shows.

However, some analysts argue the deal may look less threatening if regulators consider the broader landscape, which includes cable TV, broadcast networks and YouTube.

Even so, former competition regulator Bill Kovacic said Trump’s direct comments mean the review process will now “run through the White House,” signalling an unprecedented level of presidential involvement in a merger investigation.

The Writers Guild of America has urged regulators to block the deal, warning it would lead to job losses, lower wages, higher consumer prices and fewer content options.

The deal is expected to be finalised after Warner Bros completes its business split in the second half of 2026.