Paramount Skydance has reportedly submitted a higher offer to acquire Warner Bros Discovery (WBD), just days after President Donald Trump issued a warning to the current frontrunner Netflix asking the company to fire former Democratic national security official Susan Rice from its board. According to a report by news agency Reuters, Paramount’s revised bid aims to derail Netflix’s $82. 7 billion cash deal as it aims to have valuable ‘crown jewels’ in entertainment industry, including the Harry Potter, DC Universe, and Game of Thrones franchises.
Paramount’s ‘best and final’ push
The new offer from Paramount, led by David Ellison and backed by Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison, aims to solve the board’s main concern: money. While Netflix’s offer is roughly $27. 75 per share, Paramount’s initial bid was already higher at $108. 4 billion ($30 per share).
To sweeten the deal and prove they are serious, Paramount previously enhanced its bid by offering to pay the $2.8 billion penalty Warner Bros would owe Netflix if it breaks their current agreement. The Citing Variety, Warner Bros is said to be accept Paramount’s offer but has officially recommended the Netflix deal to its shareholders.
Trump re-enters the fray with ‘Susan Rice’ ultimatum
Meanwhile, the corporate bidding war took a political turn over the weekend as President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to demand that Netflix immediately fire board member Susan Rice, a former National Security Adviser under Barack Obama.
“Netflix should fire racist, Trump Deranged Susan Rice, IMMEDIATELY, or pay the consequences,” the President wrote, following a viral campaign by influencer Laura Loomer, who argued that a Netflix-Warner Bros merger would create a “WOKE streaming monopoly.”
Trump added: “HER POWER IS GONE, AND WILL NEVER BE BACK. How much is she being paid, and for what???”
The controversy centers on comments Rice made on a recent podcast, where she suggested that companies cooperating with the Trump administration might face “subpoenas” and “accountability” if Democrats return to power.
“It would not end well. They are going to be caught with more than their pants down,” Rice said. She predicted Democrats would bring “an accountability agenda” and advised companies to “preserve their documents” and “be ready for subpoenas.”
“If these corporations think that Democrats, when they come back in power, are going to play by the old rules… I think they’ve got another thing coming,” Rice added.
Loomer questioned whether Netflix stands by a board member “threatening half of the country with weaponized government and political retribution.”
