Trump administration urged to review Netflix’s LGBTQ+ kids content ahead of merger

The Trump administration has been urged by a conservative group to review LGBTQ+ content in Netflix’s children’s programming ahead of approving the streaming service’s multi-billion dollar merger with Warner Bros. Discovery.

Concerned Women for America (CWA) is an LGBTQ+, Trump-supporting organisation “dedicated to impacting the culture for Christ” and “protects and promotes Biblical values and Constitutional principles through prayer, education, and advocacy”.

On December 8, CWA published a report into the amount of LGBTQ+ content in Netflix’s kids programming and organisation’s CEO and president, Penny Nance, claimed the figures showcase Netflix’s alleged “anti-child, anti-family agenda” – all because some shows and films showcase that LGBTQ+ people literally just exist.

Nance insisted children’s programmes on the streaming platform had been “infiltrated by adult preoccupations with sexual preferences and gender identity”.

“Our new report reveals that children’s programming is not exempt from identity politics – a drastic departure from its historical role. We knew that Netflix aired this kind of programming, but our study quantifies how many children’s programs are subverted by LGBTQ messaging and themes. These are shocking numbers and most parents are unaware,” Nance went on to claim.

“And now with Netflix’s acquisition of Warner Brothers/Discovery, families must beware that Netflix will be able to expand its irresponsible approach to content moderation for children. 

“Government should make that part of the conversation of this merger. There should be an outside, independent council that represents the interest of parents, reviewing program ratings.”

Earlier this month, Netflix announced a fully financed and negotiated deal where the streaming service would acquire Warner Bros., including its film and television studios HBO Max and HBO, with a total enterprise value of approximately $82.7 billion (£61.9 billion) and equity value of $72.0 billion (£53.6 billion).

After the deal was announced, Paramount Skydance Corporation (PSKY) launched a hostile $108.4 billion (£80.75 billion) bid for the whole Warner Bros. company, which Warner Bros. rejected on Wednesday (17 December) citing the Netflix merger as the “superior” option.

There has been wide criticism of the deal both inside and outside of the entertainment sector, with Democrat Elizabeth Warren blasting the merger “an anti-monopoly nightmare” which would “create one massive media giant with control of close to half of the streaming market”.

“The world’s largest streaming company swallowing one of its biggest competitors is what antitrust laws were designed to prevent,” the Writers Guild of America said in a statement issued after the announcement of the merger.

“The outcome would eliminate jobs, push down wages, worsen conditions for all entertainment workers, raise prices for consumers, and reduce the volume and diversity of content for all viewers. Industry workers along with the public are already impacted by only a few powerful companies maintaining tight control over what consumers can watch on television, on streaming, and in theaters. This merger must be blocked.”

In a statement shared with The Washington Times, Nance further emphasised her organisation’s desire for the Trump administration – which has already sought to roll back LGBTQ+ rights across the US throughout 2025 – to examine Netflix’s queer-focused kids content.

“With Netflix’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, Netflix will be the dominant streaming service, one that many families will be pressured to embrace because of their huge and diverse catalogue which includes the Harry Potter franchise,” the CEO said.

“But the fact that Netflix actively drives the expansion of LGBTQ+ themes into children’s programming and shows should make both parents and government regulators pause to consider the consequences of such a distortion of the market,” she added.

This is not the first time LGBTQ+ kids programming has been the source of ire for anti-queer conservatives.

Back in September, billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk took to his social media platform X and shared he had cancelled his Netflix account because Hamish Steele‘s animation Dead End: Paranormal Park – which was cancelled by the streamer more than two years ago – features a trans character.

It was claimed the platform is “sexualising children” and pushing so-called “transgender propaganda” through its kids content.

Not long after, in October, Georgia Republican and notable MAGA loud mouth Marjorie Taylor Greene – who has recently had a very public falling out with Donald Trump – she had cancelled her Netflix subscription because of a five-year-old clip of a trans storyline from The Baby-Sitters Club.