Trump administration views Netflix and Warner Bros. deal with 'heavy skepticism,' senior official says

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CNBC Finance

Dec 05, 2025

1 min read

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Key Points
  • The Trump administration has "heavy skepticism" about the newly announced $72 billion deal for Netflix to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery's film and streaming assets.
  • Netflix plans to acquire Warner Bros.'s film studio and streaming service, HBO Max.

The Trump administration views the proposed $72 billion deal for Netflix to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery's film and streaming assets with "heavy skepticism," a senior administration official told CNBC's Eamon Javers on Friday morning.

Netflix said Friday that it would acquire Warner Bros.'s film studio and streaming service, HBO Max.

Paramount Skydance had made multiple bids for all of WBD.

The New York Post on Thursday reported that, "Paramount Skydance chief David Ellison met with Trump officials and key lawmakers in Washington DC on Wednesday to press his case against Warner Bros. Discovery's potential selection of Netflix as its merger partner."

Ellison's billionaire father, Larry Ellison, is close to President Donald Trump.

This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates.

Published

December 05, 2025

Friday at 2:58 PM

Reading Time

1 minutes

~158 words

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