US President Donald Trump has publicly called on Netflix to remove former national security adviser Susan Rice from its board, intensifying political pressure on the streaming giant as it seeks regulatory approval for a major acquisition.

In a post published on his Truth Social platform, Trump criticised Rice and urged the company to dismiss her immediately, warning of unspecified consequences if it failed to act. He described the former senior adviser to Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden in strongly negative terms, escalating a dispute that now intersects with Netflix’s corporate ambitions.

Trump’s remarks followed commentary from conservative activist Laura Loomer, who had questioned Rice’s position and suggested that the administration should intervene in Netflix’s proposed takeover of key entertainment assets from Warner Bros. Discovery. Loomer has previously advocated for the removal of officials she considers misaligned with the president’s agenda.

The controversy comes at a sensitive moment for Netflix. The company is pursuing a deal valued at approximately A$110 billion to acquire Warner’s film and television studios along with the HBO Max streaming service. The transaction is subject to approval from the US Department of Justice, which is reportedly examining whether the merger could consolidate excessive market power or reduce competition within the media sector.

Netflix

Complicating matters further, Paramount has launched a competing bid for the entirety of Warner, including its cable networks such as CNN and TNT. Paramount’s offer is understood to be worth about A$119 billion. Warner recently granted Paramount a seven-day window to submit what it describes as a best and final proposal. That period is due to conclude shortly, after which Netflix would have the opportunity to match any rival offer.

Rice, who previously served as US ambassador to the United Nations, has been associated with Netflix’s board since 2018, stepping away in 2021 before returning in 2023. In a recent podcast interview with former US Attorney Preet Bharara, she commented that future Democratic administrations should not forgive corporations that, in her view, had yielded to political pressure. She argued that organisations ranging from universities to major technology companies should adopt a long-term perspective rather than prioritising short-term considerations.

Netflix has not publicly responded to the president’s latest comments, and Rice has not issued a statement. The White House has also recently been involved in cultural institutions, with Trump naming himself chair of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. An announcement last December indicated the venue would be referred to as the Trump-Kennedy Center, although Democratic lawmakers have disputed whether its board has the authority to alter the name of a federally established memorial.

As regulatory review of the Warner transaction continues, the political dimension adds another layer of complexity to what is already one of the largest media deals in recent years.