David Zaslav, the CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, is seeking to establish a close relationship with a key figure who holds significant influence over the entertainment industry: Donald Trump. According to a recent profile in New York Magazine, Zaslav is attempting to curry favor with Trump as a means of safeguarding his business interests. This approach is not unprecedented, as tech moguls such as Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk have successfully solidified their positions through strategic connections.
However, a person within Trump’s inner circle suggests that Zaslav should model his approach after Jeff Bezos, who has successfully ingratiated himself with Trump through his media outlets. Bezos has achieved this by offering flattering coverage and significant financial support, including a $40 million documentary deal featuring Melania Trump. Zaslav, on the other hand, has limited resources to offer, but Trump’s affinity for positive media coverage presents an opportunity. Proposals put forth to Zaslav, as reported by NYMag, include a potential hunting and fishing show featuring Donald Trump, Jr., as well as increasing the presence of pro-Trump voices on WBD-owned CNN.
Attempting to appease Trump in this manner may be perceived as overt favor-trading, but Zaslav may see it as a necessary step to advance his business interests. Notably, he has expressed a desire to fast-track mergers and acquisitions, which could be facilitated by a favorable relationship with the administration. In an interview with Bloomberg last year, Zaslav stated that he hoped the next president would adopt a more permissive stance towards consolidation, allowing companies to “do what we need to to be even better.”
While it is unclear whether WBD has specific acquisition targets in mind, Zaslav’s willingness to take drastic measures to ensure the company’s success is evident. He received a $52 million salary last year, suggesting that he is unlikely to consider a pay cut. Moreover, Trump’s history of intervening in media deals, such as his attempt to block the AT&T-Time Warner merger, underscores the importance of maintaining a positive relationship with the administration. Trump’s recent calls for the FCC to fine and potentially revoke CBS’s license over a “60 Minutes” segment further emphasize the need for media companies to navigate this complex landscape carefully.
As the situation unfolds, it will be interesting to see whether Zaslav’s efforts to establish a rapport with Trump will yield the desired results. One possible outcome could be the creation of content that caters to Trump’s interests, such as a hypothetical show featuring Donald Trump, Jr., which could potentially air on Max.
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