President Donald Trump addressed the proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. by Netflix, valued at $82.7 billion, during a press interaction ahead of the Kennedy Center Honors in Washington D.C. He expressed admiration for Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix, noting that the deal would significantly increase Netflix's market share.

Trump stated, "Well, that’s gotta go through a process, and we’ll see what happens. Netflix is a great company. They’ve done a phenomenal job. Ted is a fantastic man. I have a lot of respect for him. But it’s a lot of market share, so we’ll have to see what happens." He acknowledged the need for economic analysis regarding the merger's implications, indicating that it would be subject to regulatory review.

The acquisition announcement included a $5.8 billion breakup fee and a commitment to maintain Warner Bros.' current operations, including theatrical releases. Sarandos remarked on the strategic nature of the acquisition, stating, "We already have incredible shows and movies and a great business model, and it’s working for talent, it’s working for consumers and it’s working for shareholders, but this is a rare opportunity and it’s going to help us achieve our mission to entertain the world and to bring people together through great stories."

Despite the potential benefits outlined by Netflix, concerns have been raised within the industry. Cinema United described the acquisition as a significant threat to the global exhibition business, while the Directors Guild of America expressed significant concerns regarding the deal's implications for the industry.