Netflix's visit to the White House during its pursuit of Warner Bros. Discovery is drawing attention amid mounting political pressure.
The meeting comes after the Justice Department announced an investigation into Netflix for alleged unfair trade practices and President Donald Trump demanded the streaming giant fire a Democratic-aligned board member.
U.S. political news outlet Politico reported on the 25th (local time), citing multiple sources, that Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos will attend a meeting at the White House on the 27th.
The meeting is expected to cover Netflix's merger and acquisition attempt for Warner Bros. assets and the issue of board member Susan Rice's dismissal. Whether Sarandos will meet directly with President Trump remains undetermined.
Netflix agreed in December last year to acquire Warner Bros.' streaming and studio divisions for $27.75 per share in an all-cash deal. The Justice Department's antitrust division is currently reviewing the transaction.
However, the acquisition plan faces new challenges as rival bidder Paramount Skydance has made an aggressive counter-offer. Paramount proposed acquiring all of Warner Bros. at $31 per share. If the Warner Bros. board accepts Paramount's offer, Netflix must present a better bid within four days.
Netflix also faces political obstacles. On the 21st, President Trump posted on Truth Social: "Netflix must immediately fire Susan Rice, a racist who is 'Trump-deranged.' Otherwise, they will pay the price." Rice served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and National Security Advisor under the Barack Obama administration and as White House Domestic Policy Council Director under the Joe Biden administration.
President Trump is known to have close ties with Paramount. Larry Ellison, Oracle Chairman and father of Paramount CEO David Ellison, is a longtime friend of President Trump. The younger Ellison attended the State of the Union address the previous day at the invitation of Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), a close Trump ally.
