Netflix co-CEO reportedly discussed Warner Bros. deal with Trump

As Netflix gears up for its monumental $82.7 billion bid to acquire Warner Bros., questions arise about whether this deal will receive the green light from federal regulators. While Paramount appeared to be the leading contender for the acquisition, thanks in part to CEO David Ellison's ties to the Trump administration, recent reports reveal a different narrative. According to sources from Bloomberg and The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos had a meeting with then-President Donald Trump last November. During this discussion, Trump is said to have advised Sarandos that Warner Bros. should sell to the highest bidder. Sarandos reportedly left the meeting with the impression that the president would not oppose the acquisition outright. In the midst of this unfolding drama, Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav expressed hesitance about selling the company. He was taken aback when Paramount began to pursue an acquisition, having expected Ellison to wait until the studio finalized its plans to separate its movie and streaming units from its cable networks. Ultimately, Warner Bros. opened the door to considering other offers, igniting a bidding war that saw Netflix emerge victorious. However, the possibility of a hostile bid from Paramount remains on the table.