



Trump World is picking sides in the battle for Warner Bros.
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. WASHINGTON—Some of the most influential people in President Trump’s orbit, past and present, are facing off in the unfolding drama over the future of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Netflix, which wants to buy Warner’s studios and HBO Max streaming business, is in a multibillion-dollar game of tug of war with Paramount, which wants to buy the entire company. Among new participants in the merger fight are Kellyanne Conway, Trump’s 2016 campaign manager and former White House senior counselor, and Tony Fabrizio, the president’s chief pollster. Affinity Partners, the private-equity firm of Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner, said this week it would no longer participate in Paramount’s bid to acquire Warner Bros.
Discovery. Here’s a look at the key players in the fight for Warner Bros.: Kellyanne Conway Netflix hired Conway’s firm, KAConsulting LLC, in recent weeks, and Conway has been advising the streaming giant on the merger as it pursues the $72 billion deal, according to people familiar with the discussions. Conway, a top former White House adviser to Trump and a veteran Republican pollster, will provide strategic consulting and market research for the company, the people said.
Tom Joannou, a vice president at Conway’s firm and a Trump White House and 2016 campaign alum, is also working on Netflix’s behalf, the people said. Brian Ballard The longtime Florida Republican megalobbyist and his firm have been advising Netflix and will work with the company as it goes through the regulatory approval process, according to people familiar with the situation. The firm has extensive ties throughout the media industry: It represented Paramount and worked with the company during its merger with Skydance, and
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