Netflix: Don’t Bow to Trump—Keep Susan Rice on the Board

A sitting president is threatening a private company to punish a board member for speaking her mind. Netflix must not cave.

President Trump is pressuring Netflix to remove former Ambassador Susan Rice from its board after she criticized corporations that bend the knee to him. At the same time, Trump’s Department of Justice is reviewing Netflix’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, a deal that requires federal approval. Trump has warned Netflix of “consequences” if it does not fire Rice.

This is a blatant abuse of power.

Presidents have not historically inserted themselves into corporate takeovers to target individual board members over political disagreements. But Trump has suggested he may personally get involved in the DOJ’s review. By tying a multibillion-dollar merger to the removal of a former public servant who served in both the Obama and Biden administrations, he is sending a chilling message: cross me, and your company will suffer.

If Netflix caves, it won’t just be about one board seat. It will signal to every corporation in America that political loyalty matters more than free speech and independent governance. It will embolden further interference and weaken the guardrails that protect both businesses and our democracy.

Netflix depends on its subscribers, creators, and public trust. When customers and shareholders speak out, corporate leaders listen. A strong, visible outcry will strengthen the resolve of executives who understand that bowing to political threats would damage the company’s credibility for years to come.

We call on Co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters, and Chair Reed Hastings, to publicly commit to keeping Ambassador Susan Rice on Netflix’s board and to reject any attempt by the Trump administration to interfere in corporate governance. We also call on the Department of Justice to review the Warner Bros. Discovery deal based solely on the law, not presidential retaliation.

The DOJ’s decision is pending. The pressure is real.

Tell Netflix to stand up for democracy — add your name now.