A prominent MAGA influencer has sparked controversy by alleging that a colossal proposed merger in the entertainment industry is part of a covert bid by former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama to dominate the media landscape.
The $82.7 Billion Deal and the Alleged Conspiracy
This claim emerged following the announcement on Friday that streaming giant Netflix plans to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery in a monumental deal valued at $82.7 billion. The agreement, which is not yet final, would see Netflix absorb Warner Bros.' vast catalogue, including the HBO Max streaming service. While Netflix hailed the move as uniting "two pioneering entertainment businesses," the proposal has drawn scrutiny over potential antitrust violations.
Conservative commentator Benny Johnson, who boasts a combined follower count of 10 million across X and YouTube, levelled the explosive accusation during an interview on Fox Business. Johnson bizarrely asserted that the Obamas, along with "DNC mega-donors," would end up controlling iconic Warner Bros. franchises like Batman and Harry Potter if the acquisition proceeds.
Pointing to Obama-Netflix Ties
To support his theory, Johnson pointed to the existing production partnership between the Obamas' company, Higher Ground Productions, and Netflix, established in 2018. He criticised their output as "woke documentaries" and highlighted that Susan Rice, a former national security adviser and UN ambassador under President Obama, sits on Netflix's board of directors.
"So this is just simply the Obamas trying to take over all of media, it should be stopped cold by antitrust at the DOJ," Johnson declared. He later reiterated the claim in a post on X, doubling down on the narrative of an orchestrated takeover.
Fact-Checking the Production Partnership
According to Netflix's website, Higher Ground Productions has indeed collaborated on more than a dozen projects with the platform since 2018, receiving critical acclaim for many. Their filmography includes the 2021 drama Fatherhood, starring Kevin Hart, and the 2023 apocalyptic thriller Leave the World Behind featuring Julia Roberts. The company has also produced documentary series, such as the NBA-focused "Starting 5," which premiered its second season in October.
The Independent has reached out to both the Obama Foundation and Netflix for comment on Johnson's allegations. The core of Johnson's claim—that the Obamas would directly control the merged entity or its assets—appears baseless, conflating a content production deal with corporate ownership and control.
Nevertheless, the Netflix-Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition represents one of the most significant potential consolidations in modern media history, guaranteeing intense regulatory examination and public debate about market power and influence in the streaming era.
