President Donald Trump wants Netflix to remove foreign policy expert Susan Rice from its board, warning the company will “pay the consequences” if it does not.

In a Feb. 21, 2026, post on Truth Social, Trump shared comments from conservative influencer Laura Loomer, who criticized Rice, a Democrat, over her remarks that there would be an “accountability agenda” targeting corporations that had reportedly taken “a knee to Trump.” Loomer accused Rice of supporting “weaponized government” and political retaliation.

Trump wrote in his post, “Netflix should fire racist, Trump Deranged Susan Rice, IMMEDIATELY, or pay the consequences. 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.”

Trump’s comments come amid a takeover battle between Netflix and Paramount Skydance for Warner Bros. Discovery’s (WBD) studios and streaming assets.

According to The Guardian, Rice served as former President Barack Obama’s national security adviser, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and later as a White House domestic policy adviser under former President Joe Biden. She was a member of Netflix’s board from 2018 to 2020, stepped down during the Biden administration, and rejoined in 2023. She currently serves on the company’s nominating and governance committee, the outlet notes.

Netflix Responds

During an appearance on the “Stay Tuned with Preet Bharara” podcast on Feb. 19, 2026, Rice said corporations, law firms, and news organizations that demonstrated loyalty to Trump would face accountability if Democrats returned to power.

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos publicly responded to Trump’s call for Rice’s removal from the board on BBC Radio 4’s “Today” program on Feb. 23, 2026.

“He [Trump] likes to do a lot of things on social media,” Sarandos said, referring to the president, according to BBC News.

“This is a business deal. It’s not a political deal. This deal is run by the Department of Justice in the US, and regulators throughout Europe and around the world,” Sarandos added regarding Netflix’s bid.

Paramount has sought to secure a $108.4 billion takeover of WBD, with its bid reportedly backed by a personal $40.4 billion guarantee from Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle Corp, per the Los Angeles Times.

Netflix Vs. Paramount Skydance: The Battle For Warner Bros. Discovery

However, WBD previously rejected Paramount’s offer, as AFROTECH™ previously told you. Board chair Samuel A. Di Piazza Jr. called the proposal “inadequate,” citing significant risks and costs to shareholders. He said the board viewed Netflix’s offer as delivering greater certainty and superior value.

On Jan. 12, 2026, Paramount filed a lawsuit in Delaware seeking to compel WBD to disclose details about its sale process and the pending Netflix agreement, AFROTECH™ noted.

Paramount has until the end of day on Feb. 23 to submit its best and final offer to compete with Netflix’s board-approved $72 billion equity bid that will be voted on by shareholders in March, according to BBC News.

Netflix’s deal would see the streaming giant acquire WBD’s film and television studios, including Warner Bros., home to franchises such as “Harry Potter,” “Superman,” and “Batman.” WBD also owns HBO, the network behind series including “Game of Thrones” and “Succession.”

Speaking on BBC Radio 4, Sarandos said Netflix’s bid for WBD would expand the market, asserting that the company would be “buying assets we don’t currently have.”

He added that Paramount had committed to cutting $6 billion from the business immediately if it were to take over WBD, framing Netflix’s proposal as a growth-focused alternative that would create jobs.

“This industry would be much smaller under that [Paramount] ownership than it would be under Netflix ownership,” Sarandos said, per BBC News.

Any acquisition of WBD would require approval from federal regulators before either bidder could complete the transaction.