Statement on Trump’s Demand that Netflix Fire Susan Rice

President Trump, once again, demonstrated his fondness for corrupt political meddling, when he demanded that Netflix fire former U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice from its board or “pay the consequences.”

This is just the latest incident in a long series of alarming attacks on the media and entertainment industries from the Trump administration, which ultimately represent a blatant attempt to silence critics, tamp down on access to independent information, and to force business decisions that Trump and his allies think will benefit them. 

There’s a clear pattern — we’ve seen example after example of the President’s willingness to abuse his power, especially amidst contentious business negotiations, to go after people and companies he views as insufficiently loyal. His tactics are transparent and familiar: antagonize, bully, and threaten political retribution to get his way at the expense of all of our freedoms.

Corporate leaders who capitulate to wannabe dictators for short term monetary gain should understand that they are more likely to "pay the consequences" from a fed-up public that demands accountability rather than complicity.