The Daily Populous Sunday February 22nd, 2026 day edition
Authored by variety.com and submitted by LollipopChainsawZz

Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Saturday to demand that Netflix “immediately” fire former UN ambassador and board member Susan Rice or “pay the consequences.” His comments come as the streaming giant is in the midst of trying to seal a deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery’s studios and streaming businesses for $83 billion.

“Netflix should fire racist, Trump Deranged Susan Rice, IMMEDIATELY, or pay the consequences,” Trump wrote. “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.”

Netflix did not immediately respond to Variety‘s request for comment.

Trump’s outrage stems from Rice’s comments on Preet Bharara’s “Stay Tuned with Preet” podcast. During her interview, Rice said that if Democrats win the midterm elections, she predicts an “accountability agenda” for corporations that skirted regulations under the Trump administration.

Rice said, “If these corporations think that the Democrats, when they come back in power, are going to, you know, play by the old rules, and, you know, say, ‘Oh, never mind. We’ll forgive you for all the people you fired, all the policies and principles you’ve violated, all, you know, the laws you’ve skirted.’ I think they’ve got another thing coming.”

In his Truth Social post, Trump linked to an X post from far-right activst Larua Loomer, who wrote that Rice is “threatening half of the country with weaponized government political retribution.” She also forecast that if Netflix is allowed to acquire Warner Bros., “positive messaging of the Democrats’ upcoming witch hunts against Trump from Barack Hussein Obama and his anti-White racist wife Michelle would likely be blasted across all streaming services.”

“The Netflix-Warner Bros. merger would result in a streaming monopoly, which the Obamas will have a significant stake in,” she added. “President Trump must kill the Netflix-Warner Bros. merger now.”

In early February, Trump told NBC that he thought he “shouldn’t be involved” with the Netflix-Warner Bros. deal, but he seems to have reversed that position.

“I must say, I guess I’m considered to be a very strong president. I’ve been called by both sides. It’s the two sides, but I’ve decided I shouldn’t be involved. The Justice Department will handle it,” Trump said at the time, per an NBC News transcript.

Netflix has an agreement to acquire Warner Bros. studios and HBO Max in a transaction worth $83 billion. On Feb. 17, WBD opened a seven-day negotiation period during which Paramount Skydance, which has been waging a hostile-takeover effort, can make a final push to pull together a stronger offer. On March 20, Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders are scheduled to vote on the Netflix acquisition.

fungobat on February 22nd, 2026 at 01:08 UTC »

> “Netflix should fire racist, Trump Deranged Susan Rice, IMMEDIATELY, or pay the consequences,” Trump wrote. “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.”

> Trump’s outrage stems from Rice’s comments on Preet Bharara’s “Stay Tuned with Peet” podcast. During her interview, Rice said that if Democrats win the midterm elections, she predicts an “accountability agenda” for corporations that skirted regulations under the Trump administration.

> Rice said, “If these corporations think that the Democrats, when they come back in power, are going to, you know, play by the old rules, and, you know, say, ‘Oh, never mind. We’ll forgive you for all the people you fired, all the policies and principles you’ve violated, all, you know, the laws you’ve skirted.’ I think they’ve got another thing coming.”

StrangerFew2424 on February 22nd, 2026 at 01:02 UTC »

A US 'president' demanding a private company fire someone who hurt his feelings... very normal & not unconstitutional at all. /s

DragonTHC on February 22nd, 2026 at 00:54 UTC »

That is open extortion. Has to be a crime, even for the president.