Netflix does not usually find itself at the center of ownership panic, but a massive expansion move has a way of stirring speculation. As reports emerged about Netflix striking a blockbuster deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, few doubts arose: What if Netflix itself is vulnerable? What if its ownership changes hands?

That uncertainty was caused by a headline-grabbing rumor: Netflix is being bought and the buyer is Donald Trump. Billionaires investing across media empires is nothing new. But does this particular claim hold up under scrutiny?

The short answer is no. Donald Trump has not bought Netflix, nor is he becoming its owner. According to The Wall Street Journal, President Donald Trump purchased Netflix debt securities, not equity. In simple terms, he invested in Netflix bonds, which makes him a creditor not an owner, shareholder, or decision-maker. 

Financial disclosure records released by the White House show that Trump bought between $250,001 and $500,000 worth of Netflix bonds on two occasions in December, totaling up to $1 million. 

Around the same time, he made similar bond purchases in Discovery Communications, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. These transactions occurred shortly after Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery announced their major deal, suggesting a financial play tied to corporate momentum rather than control.

Bond investments are a standard business move. They do not grant voting rights, ownership stakes, or operational influence. Netflix’s leadership, governance, and strategic direction remain unchanged. 

Donald Trump Invested at Least $1 Million in Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery Bonds After Deal Announcement

For now, Ted Sarandos and Netflix’s long-standing leadership team remain fully in control, even as the company positions itself aggressively against rivals like Paramount and Disney.

Speaking to The New York Times, Ted Sarandos addressed rising anxiety across Hollywood over how Netflix plans to handle theatrical releases once its $82 billion deal with Warner Bros. is finalized. Sarandos explained that Netflix plans to preserve Warner Bros.’ existing theatrical infrastructure, including standard cinema release windows. Films from the acquired studio would continue to debut in theaters for at least 45 days before arriving on streaming.

“When this deal closes, we will own a theatrical distribution engine that is phenomenal and produces billions of dollars of theatrical revenue that we don’t want to put at risk. We will run that business largely like it is today, with 45-day windows,” he said.

He also stressed Netflix’s competitive intent in cinemas. Rather than treating theaters as a formality, Sarandos signaled that the company wants to actively compete at the box office, aiming for strong opening weekends and sustained theatrical revenue. The message was clear: Netflix does not see theaters as obsolete, but as a business it intends to win in.

As Netflix grows larger and more influential, scrutiny will only intensify. But for now, the streamer’s future is being shaped in boardrooms, not by billionaire buyouts.

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