Trump bought Netflix and Warner Bros bonds at height of bidding war with Paramount

U.S. President Donald Trump has made significant investments in Netflix and Warner Bros bonds, purchasing over $1.1 million in Netflix bonds amid a contentious bidding war with Paramount for Warner Bros Discovery. According to government disclosures, Trump's transactions were made in late 2022, with purchases exceeding $500,000 on December 12 and December 16, followed by additional investments in early January. These acquisitions occurred concurrently with Trump's public criticism of Netflix, raising concerns about antitrust implications and putting pressure on the company. The bonds, which carry a 5.375% interest rate and are set to mature in November 2029, have fluctuated in value but were trading around $1.03 to $1.04 at the time of his purchases. Trump's investments were made through a trust managed by his children, which is exempt from conflict-of-interest regulations that typically govern executive branch officials. As the bidding war escalated, Paramount ultimately secured a $110 billion deal, leaving Netflix to withdraw from the competition. This situation highlights the complex interplay between politics, investment, and media consolidation in the U.S. entertainment landscape.