Donald Trump asks Netflix to fire Susan Rice from board

Donald Trump is asking Netflix to fire board member Susan Rice. This is a new demand after Rice spoke about companies that support Trump.
By Newsroom | Business, Politics |

Donald Trump has publicly called for streaming company Netflix to remove Susan Rice, a former Obama and Biden administration official, from its board of directors. The demand comes amid ongoing discussions about a potential merger between Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery, and follows Rice's remarks about corporations potentially facing consequences for aligning with Trump's agenda.

Background and Timeline

The public statements from Donald Trump regarding Susan Rice's position on the Netflix board emerged recently. Rice, who has held significant roles in past Democratic administrations, including National Security Advisor and UN Ambassador, made comments on a podcast suggesting that companies and organizations that have supported Trump may face repercussions, particularly if Democrats gain further political influence.

Trump demands Netflix fire former national security advisor Susan Rice from its board - 1

  • Rice's Remarks: On a podcast, Susan Rice stated that corporations, news outlets, and law firms which have been loyal to Trump might find their past actions unpopular. She also cautioned that Democrats could take action against companies that "take a knee" to the former president.

  • Trump's Response: Following Rice's statements, Donald Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, demanding that Netflix fire Rice from its board "immediately, or pay the consequences."

  • Merger Context: This demand is occurring as Netflix is reportedly in discussions about a potential deal or merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. Some observers have raised concerns about this potential merger leading to a monopolistic situation in the streaming market, with implications for entities like the Obamas who might have a stake.

  • Influencer Involvement: Reports indicate that Trump's call was partly influenced by activist Laura Loomer, who has been critical of Rice and the potential Netflix-Warner Bros. merger, suggesting it could create a monopoly and that Rice was involved in inciting unrest.

Evidence and Statements

The central piece of evidence for Trump's demand comes from his direct statements on social media.

  • Donald Trump's Truth Social Post: Trump stated, "Netflix should fire Susan Rice from its board immediately, or pay the consequences." He also questioned her role and compensation, asking, "How much is she being paid, and for what???"

  • Susan Rice's Podcast Comments: Rice is reported to have warned companies against aligning too closely with Trump, suggesting that such actions could lead to repercussions. She also mentioned that those who supported Trump might find their decisions unpopular.

  • Laura Loomer's Influence: Loomer is cited as having urged Trump to take action against Rice and also voiced concerns about the potential Netflix-Warner Bros. merger, linking it to a monopoly and tagging Trump and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr.

Analysis of Divergent Perspectives

The situation presents a clear divergence of viewpoints regarding Susan Rice's role on the Netflix board and the implications of her public statements.

Read More: Supreme Court blocks Trump tariffs, new 15% global tax starts Friday

Trump demands Netflix fire former national security advisor Susan Rice from its board - 2

Perspective 1: Trump and Allies' Position

From this viewpoint, Susan Rice's public comments are seen as politically charged and potentially damaging to corporations that do not align with Democratic interests.

  • Accusations of Incitement: Some critics, like Laura Loomer, have accused Rice of using her platform to incite chaos and violence, particularly concerning immigration enforcement.

  • Call for Accountability: Trump's demand for Rice's dismissal suggests a belief that her continued presence on the board is unacceptable due to her perceived political actions and statements.

  • Concerns about Monopoly: The potential Netflix-Warner Bros. merger has also drawn criticism, with concerns that it could lead to a monopoly that benefits certain political figures or groups.

Perspective 2: Susan Rice's Stance and Broader Implications

Susan Rice's comments, as reported, focus on the idea that corporations supporting Trump might face future political or public backlash.

  • Warning Against Political Alignment: Rice's statements appear to be a warning to businesses about the potential downsides of aligning with political agendas that might not endure.

  • Role as a Board Member: Her position on the Netflix board is distinct from her past government roles, and the call for her dismissal is based on her recent public commentary.

  • Lack of Official Response from Netflix: As of the reporting, Netflix has not immediately responded to requests for comment regarding Trump's demands.

Expert Insights and Attributions

  • Anonymous Sources in Reports: While no specific expert commentary is directly quoted in the provided articles, the reports themselves attribute the calls and statements to Donald Trump and Susan Rice.

  • Concerns Regarding Corporate Governance: The situation touches upon broader discussions about the role of board members and the intersection of corporate governance with political discourse. Whether a board member's public political statements warrant their dismissal is a matter of internal company policy and shareholder interest.

Conclusion and Potential Developments

Donald Trump has demanded that Netflix remove Susan Rice from its board, citing her recent public statements as grounds for dismissal. Trump's call also appears to be intertwined with concerns about a potential Netflix-Warner Bros. Discovery merger. Susan Rice, a former high-ranking official in the Obama and Biden administrations, had warned companies about the risks of aligning with Trump's political agenda. As of the latest reports, Netflix has not issued an official statement in response to Trump's demands. The situation highlights the complex interplay between corporate leadership, political commentary, and potential business dealings.

Read More: Melania Trump Attends Governors' Dinner Despite Boycott Threats on February 23, 2025

Further observation would be required to ascertain:

  • Any official response from Netflix regarding the demand for Susan Rice's dismissal.

  • Any further actions or statements from Donald Trump or his allies on this matter.

  • Developments in the reported merger talks between Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery.

Sources Used

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Donald Trump ask Netflix to fire Susan Rice?
Donald Trump publicly asked Netflix to remove Susan Rice from its board. This happened after Rice made comments on a podcast suggesting that companies supporting Trump might face problems later.
Q: What did Susan Rice say that made Trump angry?
Susan Rice said on a podcast that companies, news outlets, and law firms that have been loyal to Trump might find their past actions unpopular. She also warned that Democrats could take action against companies that "take a knee" to the former president.
Q: What did Donald Trump say to Netflix?
On his social media platform, Truth Social, Donald Trump posted that Netflix should fire Susan Rice from its board immediately, or 'pay the consequences.' He also asked how much she is paid and for what.
Q: Is this related to a Netflix merger?
Yes, Trump's demand comes as Netflix is reportedly talking about a possible merger or deal with Warner Bros. Discovery. Some people worry this could create a monopoly in the streaming market.
Q: Has Netflix responded to Trump's demand?
As of the latest reports, Netflix has not yet given an official response to Donald Trump's demand to remove Susan Rice from its board.