President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he will stay out of the high-stakes bidding war between Netflix and Paramount Skydance over Warner Bros. Discovery, marking a notable reversal from his December stance when he suggested direct presidential involvement in the massive media deal.
"I haven't been involved," Trump told reporters. "I've decided I shouldn't be involved. The Justice Department will handle it."
The president's hands-off approach represents a significant shift from his comments just two months ago, when he indicated the White House would play a role in reviewing the blockbuster merger that could reshape America's entertainment landscape. The deal involves some of the biggest names in streaming and traditional media, with billions of dollars and massive cultural influence at stake.
"Trump says he will stay out of the Netflix-Paramount battle over WBD, a reversal from his December statement that he would be involved in the approval process," reported social media user @TyCarver, highlighting the president's changed position.
This decision showcases Trump's commitment to proper separation between executive leadership and Justice Department operations – a stark contrast to the weaponized DOJ many Americans witnessed during the Biden years. Rather than inserting political considerations into what should be a straightforward antitrust review, Trump is allowing career prosecutors and regulators to evaluate the deal on its legal merits.
The Netflix-Paramount-Warner Bros. situation involves major players in an industry that has repeatedly shown hostility toward conservative values and Trump supporters. Yet the president is choosing institutional restraint over personal grievances – a move that undercuts liberal critics who constantly claim Trump operates outside constitutional norms.
Social media users quickly picked up on the story, with @bncdotph noting: "U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he will stay out of the Netflix NFLX.O and Paramount Skydance PSKY.O fight over Warner Bros Discovery WBD.O, a reversal from late last year."
This approach aligns with Trump's broader theme of restoring proper government function while draining the swamp of political interference in law enforcement. Will the mainstream media give Trump credit for this principled stance, or will they find new ways to attack him regardless?