Donald Trump sends a scathing message to Netflix after former Obama ambassador Susan Rice dares to challenge him
President Donald Trump publicly demanded that Netflix fire former National Security Adviser Susan Rice after she made comments criticizing corporations that, in her view, are trying to please or accommodate him politically.
Trump made the demand in a strongly worded post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday. In the message, he attacked Rice personally and questioned why she still serves on Netflix’s board of directors. He accused her of being biased against him and claimed she had no real qualifications beyond politics. Trump also warned that Netflix could face consequences if the company chose to keep her on its board.
Rice has been a member of Netflix’s board since returning in 2023, after previously serving in the role from 2018 to 2020. She is a longtime foreign policy figure who served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and later as National Security Adviser under former President Barack Obama. Since leaving government service, she has remained active in public discussions about politics, business leadership, and national policy.
Trump’s anger was sparked by a video clip circulating on social media that showed Rice criticizing large corporations, universities, law firms, and media organizations. The clip was shared online by conservative activist Laura Loomer and quickly gained attention among Trump supporters.
In the video, Rice argued that some companies are acting out of fear or short-term business interests by aligning themselves with Trump or avoiding confrontation with him. She warned that these decisions could come back to hurt those organizations if political leadership changes in the future.
According to Rice, many corporate leaders may believe cooperating with Trump protects their business interests now, but she suggested that strategy could fail if voters shift political power back to Democrats. She said companies that abandon previous values or policies simply to stay on good terms with political leaders could eventually be held accountable by future administrations or by public opinion.
Rice also argued that Trump’s policies particularly on economic issues, affordability, and immigration — are not as popular with the broader public as some corporations may assume. She predicted that political momentum could eventually swing in another direction, leaving companies exposed after publicly aligning themselves with him.
Her comments reflected a wider debate happening across corporate America. Over the past few years, major companies have faced increasing pressure from both political parties. Some conservatives accuse corporations of pushing progressive agendas, while Democrats and liberal commentators warn businesses against compromising principles for political access or financial advantage.
Trump has frequently targeted companies, executives, and media organizations that criticize him or are associated with political opponents. His call for Netflix to remove Rice fits into a larger pattern of public pressure campaigns he has used against corporations he believes are hostile toward him.
The dispute comes at a sensitive time for Netflix. The company is reportedly working to finalize a massive $72 billion deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, a move that would reshape the entertainment industry if approved. The Justice Department is already reviewing the proposed merger to determine whether it could limit competition or harm consumers. With regulators closely watching the company, leadership decisions including board membership are drawing additional attention.
Rice has long been a vocal critic of Trump and his political agenda. In previous interviews and public appearances, she strongly opposed efforts to dismantle federal diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. One of her earlier remarks criticizing Trump-era leadership appointments also drew backlash from conservative figures, further deepening political tensions around her role in corporate leadership.
For now, Netflix has not indicated any intention to remove Rice from its board. But the episode shows how quickly business decisions can become political flashpoints in today’s environment, where corporate leadership, public policy, and partisan politics are more connected than ever.
