While the plot was already overheated, two new names have stirred the Warner Bros. Discovery feud quite a lot more. As of late 2025 and early 2026, Warner Bros. Discovery approved a $82.7 billion sale of its studios and HBO Max to Netflix, only to face a $108 billion hostile takeover bid from Paramount.

As if the battle needed embellishment, Donald Trump introduces a new character: Netflix board member Susan Rice.

Susan Rice is a veteran American diplomat and Democratic policy strategist whose career spans three presidential administrations. She returned to the board of Netflix after concluding senior White House service, placing public governance experience inside a corporate boardroom.

Rice holds a singular distinction in United States history, having served as both National Security Advisor and Domestic Policy Advisor. Under Joe Biden, she oversaw healthcare, immigration, and equity initiatives, translating national priorities into coordinated federal action.

Earlier, Rice served as National Security Advisor to Barack Obama. She previously represented the United States as Ambassador to the United Nations, becoming the first Black woman to hold the post.

Her education and career suggest discipline rather than drama. Oxford degrees, Stanford foundations, McKinsey precision, Brookings reflection, and a memoir title that doubles as philosophy, all point to a figure more interested in outcomes than applause.

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Yet, Susan Rice’s presence on the Netflix board transformed biography into controversy once Donald Trump entered the conversation.

The immediate trigger came from a podcast appearance by Susan Rice, where she addressed corporate accountability in a post-Trump political landscape. Speaking on Stay Tuned with Preet, hosted by Preet Bharara, Rice warned that institutions aligned with Trump-era decisions could face consequences.

Rice stated that companies and organizations should not assume future Democratic administrations would ignore past conduct. She argued that accountability would apply broadly, signaling that political power shifts could bring scrutiny rather than forgiveness for actions taken during Donald Trump’s presidency.

Donald Trump responded publicly on Truth Social, accusing Rice of partisan bias and calling for her removal from the board of Netflix. He amplified the criticism by reposting commentary from Laura Loomer, who urged intervention in the Netflix–Warner Bros. corporate negotiations.

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What do you think of the feud between Susan Rice and Donald Trump? Let us know in the comments!