Ted Sarandos attempted to playdownDonald Trump’s fiery request over the weekend forNetflixto fire board memberSusan Rice, when questioned on the social media outburstin an interview on the BBC’s Today program on Monday.
The Netflix co-CEO was asked about Trump’s truculent orderduring a wide-ranging interviewwhich dug into the platform’s battle to acquireWarner BrosDiscovery in the face of a hostile counter bid by Paramount Skydance as well as the streamer’s place in the UK film and TV landscape.
Acknowledging Sarandos’ situation amid the high stakes Netflix-WBD negotiations, Today’s Amol Rajan asked: “You’ve got to deal with the world as it is, not as you’d like it to be, so you’ve got to be very diplomatic… but what is your response to what Mr. Trump said, calling for the sacking of Susan Rise, who’s on your board?”Watch on DeadlineRelated StoriesNewsTed Sarandos Says James Cameron's Disapproval Of Netflix-Warner Deal Is "Quite Confusing" & Paramount Offer Will Shrink Film BizNewsThe BBC's Drama Boss Wants To Subvert Your Expectations
Sarandos did not comment on calls for Rice’s firing but rather emphasized that the Netflix-Warner deal was not about politics.
“Yeah, this is a business deal. It’s not a political deal. This deal is run by the Department of Justice in the U.S. and regulators throughout Europe and around the world,” he said.
When pressed again on Trump’s comments on Rice, he added: “Yeah, he likes to do a lot of things on social media.”
Trump’s full posted on Truth Social on Saturday read: “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. President DJT”
It was sparked by comments from Rice in a recent podcast in which she said it would not end well for corporate interests, law firms and media which cosied up Trump out of self-interest.
“I would underscore as very short-term self-interest, and take a knee to Trump, I think they are now starting to realize, ‘Wait a minute, this is not popular. Trump is not popular,” she said.
Sarandos was talking just hours before the ending of a seven-day period granted by Warner Bros. Discovery for discussions with Paramount over its counter bid, aimed at seeking clarity for WBD stockholders.
Source: Drudge Report
