President Trump Threatens Netflix Over Board Member Susan Rice
In a recent development, President Donald Trump has publicly demanded that Netflix terminate Susan Rice from its board of directors, warning of unspecified consequences should the streaming giant fail to comply. Rice, who joined Netflix’s board in 2018, has a distinguished background, having served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and as National Security Advisor during the Obama administration.
The controversy ignited following Rice’s appearance on the Stay Tuned with Preet podcast, hosted by former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. During the interview, Rice suggested that corporations aligning with President Trump’s policies might face accountability when Democrats regain power. She stated, If these corporations think that the Democrats, when they come back in power, are going to, you know, play by the old rules, and […] say, ‘Oh, never mind. We’ll forgive you for all the people you fired, all the policies and principles you’ve violated, all, you know, the laws you’ve skirted,’ I think they’ve got another thing coming.
In response, President Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to express his disapproval. He posted, Netflix should fire racist, Trump Deranged Susan Rice, IMMEDIATELY, or pay the consequences. She’s got no talent or skills – Purely a political hack! HER POWER IS GONE, AND WILL NEVER BE BACK. How much is she being paid, and for what???
The President’s post also featured a screenshot from far-right activist Laura Loomer, who criticized Rice’s comments and alleged that the proposed Netflix-Warner Bros. merger would create a streaming monopoly with significant involvement from the Obamas, referencing the deal between Netflix and the Obamas’ production company, Higher Ground.
While President Trump did not specify the consequences he mentioned, it’s noteworthy that Netflix’s substantial acquisition of Warner Bros. is pending approval from federal regulators. Reports indicate that Netflix’s co-CEO, Ted Sarandos, met with President Trump prior to announcing the deal. Following their meeting, President Trump commented, Netflix is a great company […] but it’s a lot of market share, so we’ll have to see what happens.
This incident is not isolated. In the previous fall, President Trump similarly demanded that Microsoft dismiss its president of global affairs, Lisa Monaco, who was also targeted by Loomer. As of now, Monaco remains in her position at Microsoft.
The unfolding situation underscores the intricate interplay between politics and corporate governance, especially as major corporations navigate their roles in a polarized political environment. The outcome of this confrontation could have significant implications for corporate decision-making and the broader discourse on political influence within the private sector.
