Trump's Netflix Ultimatum: Fire Rice or Face "Consequences!"

Donald Trump has once again ignited a firestorm, this time setting his sights on Netflix and its board member Susan Rice. The former president took to Truth Social on Saturday, demanding Rice's immediate dismissal or, as he put it, "pay the consequences."

Trump's Netflix Ultimatum: Fire Rice or Face "Cons...

Trump's post was characteristically blunt. "Netflix should fire racist, Trump Deranged Susan Rice, IMMEDIATELY, or pay the consequences," he wrote, adding, "She’s got no talent or skills – Purely a political hack! HER POWER IS GONE, AND WILL NEVER BE BACK. How much is she being paid, and for what??? Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DJT" As of this writing, Netflix has remained silent, declining to comment on the matter.

The outburst seems to stem from recent remarks made by Rice on Preet Bharara's podcast. Rice warned corporations, law firms, and media outlets that cozied up to Trump that they shouldn't expect forgiveness from Democrats when (and if) they regain power. She suggested these entities acted in "very short-term self-interest" and would face repercussions. It seems Trump took this as a direct threat, interpreting it as an indication of political retribution.

Trump's post also linked to a statement from Laura Loomer, known for her extreme right-wing views and staunch support of Trump. Loomer and other MAGA influencers have been vocal critics of Netflix, particularly regarding its proposed acquisition of Warner Bros., raising concerns about the streaming giant's ties to Barack Obama. This adds another layer to the situation, hinting at a broader conservative campaign against the media landscape.

Interestingly, earlier this month, Trump told NBC News that he wouldn't be involved in decisions regarding regulatory approval for the Netflix-Warner Bros. deal, or a competing bid from Paramount, despite previously suggesting he would be. This seemingly contradicts his standard operating procedure and departs from the established political norm of presidential distance from the Justice Department.

Adding more intrigue, Trump has previously praised Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos after multiple meetings, including a White House visit. Sarandos even testified before the Senate Judiciary antitrust subcommittee recently, facing questions about the proposed transaction. It's worth noting that some Republican committee members used the opportunity to grill Sarandos on culture war issues, like transgender content, even though the DOJ's focus is meant to be on antitrust concerns. The whole situation feels increasingly like a political football being kicked around for various agendas.

Finally, let's not forget Paramount's connections: Larry Ellison, a long-time friend and investor of Trump, is the founder and CEO, David Ellison. Furthermore, Paramount's chief legal officer, Makan Delrahim, previously headed the DOJ antitrust division under Trump. So, you see, the entire media landscape is a tangled web of relationships and potential conflicts of interest. One thing's for sure, this saga is far from over, and the implications could be significant for both Netflix and the wider media industry.