The Netflix CEO paid a visit to the White House ahead of Warner Bros.’ purchase.

In November, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos made a trip to the White House for a lengthy meeting with Donald Trump. according to BloombergThe two discussed a number of topics, but most importantly Netflix’s plan to make a bid for Warner Bros. At the end of their conversation, Sardonos felt that “Netflix would not face immediate opposition from the White House.”

This week, Netflix successfully won the bidding war for Warner $82.7 billion. It is understood that Paramount and its CEO David Ellison were keen to acquire the iconic studio and its broadcast assets. Ellison and his father Larry Ellisonhave close ties to the White House, and as part of their pitch to Warner, indicated that they alone were in a position to overcome regulatory hurdles to further media consolidation.

Sarandos seems to have rightly believed that the Ellison family overestimated its political influence. Although some Public efforts To turn the White House against the deal, Netflix has won for now. Of course, there’s still a chance that Paramount will launch a hostile takeover effort, or that the Department of Justice will try to scuttle the deal — nothing is guaranteed just yet.

Sarandos tried to take over Paramount before David Ellison swooped in, so snatching Warner Bros. from under his nose would likely be something of a tryst. Personal victory.