Trump Orders Netflix to Fire Susan Rice or Face Consequences Amid Political Clash
US President Donald Trump during a news conference in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. Trump delivered a broadside against Supreme Court justices after they struck down the bulk of his sweeping global tariffs, delivering a major blow against his signature economic policy. Photographer: Annabelle Gordon/Bloomberg
By Jim Thomas | Sunday, February 22, 2026
President Donald Trump demanded on Saturday that Netflix fire board member Susan Rice and warned the company would “pay the consequences” if the streaming giant doesn’t do so, escalating a political fight after the former Obama and Biden administration official criticized corporations she said were bending to Trump.
In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote: “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.”
Rice has served on Netflix’s board of directors since 2023 following an earlier stint from 2018 to 2020. Netflix reappointed her in September 2023 after her previous service.
Trump’s message also linked to an X post by Laura Loomer that included a video of Rice criticizing institutions and corporations acting in “very-narrow self-interest” by accommodating Trump. In the description, Loomer noted that Rice warned corporations that took a “knee to Trump” would face an “accountability agenda” from Democrats if they won the 2026 midterm elections and the 2028 presidential election.
Rice argued in the video that some companies and institutions were misreading the political moment, stating Trump “is not popular” and warning that a future shift in power could bring consequences for organizations that made short-term decisions to accommodate him. She also suggested Democrats would not simply “forgive” companies for actions taken during Trump’s time in office.
The demand came as Netflix pursues a $72 billion deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery.
The Justice Department has been investigating whether the deal would harm moviegoers.
Paramount Skydance continues efforts to push Netflix out so it can acquire Warner Bros. Discovery.
Rice has also criticized Trump’s push to dismantle federal diversity, equity, and inclusion rules, stating: “Well, if you’re a white male Christian cisgender macho MAGA man, you can be as dumb as a rock and be deemed qualified to serve as Secretary of Defense. That’s apparently what we’ve learned from this episode.”
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, having practiced law for more than 20 years.
