Zhi Tong Cai Jing·2026-01-17 05:51Core Viewpoint - The article discusses President Donald Trump's significant investment in municipal and corporate bonds, including those from major Hollywood companies Netflix and Warner Bros Discovery, raising concerns about potential insider trading and conflicts of interest due to his involvement in regulatory decisions regarding a major merger between these companies [1][2][3]. Group 1: Investment Details - Trump purchased approximately $100 million in municipal and corporate bonds from mid-November to the end of December, including $2 million in bonds from Netflix and Warner Bros [1]. - The majority of Trump's investments are in municipal bonds from cities, school districts, public utilities, and hospitals, alongside corporate bonds from companies like Boeing, Occidental Petroleum, and General Motors [1][2]. Group 2: Regulatory Involvement - Trump's administration is playing an unusually active role in the review of Netflix's proposed $83 billion acquisition of Warner Bros, which is currently facing competition from Paramount Skydance [2][3]. - The regulatory approval process for any acquisition of Warner Bros will be overseen by federal antitrust agencies under Trump's leadership, which is a rare occurrence in U.S. antitrust history [3]. Group 3: Conflict of Interest Concerns - The timing of Trump's bond purchases closely follows the announcement of the merger, leading to questions about potential conflicts of interest as he is involved in the regulatory review while holding securities from the companies involved [3][4]. - Reports indicate that Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is involved in financing related to Paramount's bid for Warner Bros, further complicating the perceived conflict of interest [3]. Group 4: Implications for Netflix - If the acquisition of Warner Bros is successful, Netflix would significantly enhance its content library, transitioning from a pure streaming platform to an integrated powerhouse with control over high-value content [5]. - The merger would provide Netflix with a vast array of popular intellectual properties, including franchises like Harry Potter, DC Universe, and HBO's acclaimed series, thereby strengthening its competitive position in the streaming wars [5].