Trump’s CNN Ultimatum: Warner Bros. Deal Must Include Sale of CNN

President’s Conditions for Approving Warner Bros. Deal

In a surprise move, President Donald Trump has signaled that he will oppose any deal between Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. and Netflix Inc. if it doesn’t include the sale of CNN. This development could have significant implications for the bid from Netflix, which has agreed to buy the Warner Bros. TV and film studios and its HBO business in a deal valued at $27.75 a share.
According to sources, Trump made his comments during a meeting with business leaders at the White House on Wednesday. He emphasized that any deal should guarantee the sale of CNN, either as part of the overall package or separately. Trump’s primary concern is that the current management of the network may be rewarded by being allowed to continue operating with money from a sale.

Competing Offers and Regulatory Scrutiny

Warner Bros. is currently the target of competing offers from Netflix and Paramount Skydance Corp. Paramount’s offer, valued at $30 a share, includes the purchase of all of Warner Bros., including cable networks like CNN. The Wall Street Journal reported that Paramount’s CEO, David Ellison, has promised Trump sweeping changes at CNN if he takes control of the network’s parent company.
Ellison’s father, software billionaire Larry Ellison, is a Trump supporter, and the president’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has been involved in setting up financing for Ellison’s competing offer. Trump has also met with Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos about the deal, but has not publicly weighed in to favor either offer.

Regulatory Review and Potential Involvement

When asked about Kushner’s involvement in the deal, Trump sidestepped the question but indicated that he could eventually weigh in on a regulatory review. “I will be probably involved, maybe involved in the decision. It depends,” Trump said. “You have some good companies bidding on it.”
The fate of the Warner Bros. deal now hangs in the balance, with Trump’s ultimatum potentially throwing a wrench into the works. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the president’s views on CNN will play a significant role in determining the outcome.

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