By Trendsetter Tribune 
WASHINGTON — In a sharp escalation of his administration’s friction with the tech and media sectors, President Donald Trump issued a public ultimatum to Netflix on Saturday, February 21, 2026, demanding the removal of former National Security Advisor Susan Rice from its board of directors. The President warned that the streaming giant would “pay the consequences” if it failed to act, a threat that arrives as Netflix awaits critical federal regulatory approval for its blockbuster acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.
The demand follows a series of controversial public remarks by Rice, who has become a focal point of the administration’s “anti-woke” corporate agenda.
The Trigger: Rice’s “Accountability Agenda”
The President’s ire was sparked by Rice’s appearance on the Stay Tuned with Preet podcast on February 20, 2026. During the interview, Rice issued a “blunt warning” to corporations that have collaborated with the current administration.
- The Warning: Rice stated that a future Democratic administration would not “forgive and forget” businesses that “took a knee to Trump.”
- The “Accountability” Plan: She suggested that companies should “preserve their documents” and be ready for subpoenas, promising that “it’s not going to end well for them.”
- The Reaction: The White House characterized these comments as “inciting political retribution” and “weaponizing government lawfare” against private citizens and businesses.
The Truth Social Ultimatum
President Trump took to Truth Social on Saturday evening to issue a direct order to Netflix leadership:
“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… Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DJT” — Truth Social, Feb 21, 2026
The “Consequences”: The Warner Bros. Merger
While the President did not specify the “consequences,” industry analysts were quick to point to the high-stakes Netflix-Warner Bros. Discovery merger currently under review by the DOJ and FTC.
| Key Factor | Impact of the Conflict |
| Regulatory Review | The DOJ is currently examining the $100B+ deal for antitrust concerns. Critics argue the President is using the merger as “leverage” to force personnel changes at Netflix. |
| The Warner Bros. Studio | Netflix is seeking to acquire the historic Warner Bros. studio and streaming assets to thwart a competing bid from Paramount. |
| Senate Scrutiny | A Senate Judiciary subcommittee held hearings on the merger as recently as February 3, 2026, with some GOP senators already expressing skepticism over Netflix’s “political leanings.” |
Laura Loomer and the “Anti-ICE” Accusation
The pressure on Netflix is being amplified by conservative activist Laura Loomer, who has frequently influenced the administration’s media policy. Loomer recently published an article accusing Rice of “actively inciting anti-ICE chaos and violence” through her public criticisms of the administration’s “Operation Metro Surge” deportation raids.
Loomer has called for a nationwide boycott of Netflix, citing its “Woke” board and its production deal with Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground Productions.
Netflix’s Response: Silence (For Now)
As of Saturday night, Netflix has not issued a formal response to the President’s demand. However, the company’s stock ($NFLX) saw a 4% dip earlier this week following the initial boycott calls.
Susan Rice has served on the Netflix board since March 2018, bringing a background in global intelligence and domestic policy that CEO Reed Hastings has previously described as “invaluable.”