New Delhi, Feb. 22 -- In a striking escalation of rhetoric against a major American corporation, US President Donald Trump has demanded that Netflix dismiss board member Susan Rice, warning the streaming giant it will "pay the consequences" if it fails to act. The intervention, delivered in a fiery post on Truth Social, places a corporate governance dispute at the centre of a widening political battle over loyalty, regulation and the boundaries of presidential influence.

The controversy follows remarks by Rice suggesting that corporations and institutions which "take a knee" to Trump could face scrutiny should Democrats regain power. Trump's demand comes as Netflix navigates regulatory review of a proposed acquisition of Warner Bros., in...