Benny Johnson Warns Netflix–Warner Bros Deal Hands Media Empire to the Obamas
MAGA influencer Benny Johnson sparked controversy this week by labeling the proposed Netflix acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) a “media takeover” by Barack Obama, Michelle Obama and their allies. Johnson argued on Fox Business and subsequent social-media posts that the Obamas’ existing content deal with Netflix and the presence of former adviser Susan Rice on the Netflix board mean that, if the deal closes, Democratic interests would control blockbuster franchises like Batman, Superman and Harry Potter.
The very next day, Netflix and WBD confirmed the deal: Netflix will acquire Warner Bros.’ film and television studios, HBO Max, DC Studios, and other entertainment assets in a transaction valued at about $82.7 billion enterprise value (roughly $72 billion in equity value). The agreement excludes WBD’s cable-and-linear networks — like CNN — which will be spun off into a separate company known as Discovery Global.
The deal would create one of the largest streaming and content juggernauts in entertainment history, combining Netflix’s global platform with Warner’s storied content library. Industry unions, creators and lawmakers have raised alarms over potential antitrust issues, job losses, shrinking content diversity, and reduced theatrical releases.
But Johnson’s core claim that the Obamas wield direct control over Warner Bros. content post-merger this remains unsupported. There is no public document tying the Obamas to governance or creative oversight of Warner Bros assets. The structure of the acquisition centers on corporate entities, not personal control by individuals like the Obamas or Rice.
As regulators weigh the merger under antitrust scrutiny, the broader issue remains even if the deal closes, creative control will likely rest with corporate leadership at Netflix and WBD — not with any specific political figure.
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