Netflix has experienced a noticeable drop in its subscription numbers after co-founder Reed Hastings donated $7 million to support Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign. This donation, which went to a super PAC backing Harris, has resulted in a wave of cancellations, particularly among conservative viewers.
According to data shared by Bloomberg, Netflix’s U.S. cancellation rate spiked to 2.8% in July, driven by both Hastings’ political contribution and the streaming service’s decision to remove its cheapest subscription plan. The backlash from Trump supporters has been fierce, with many taking to social media using the hashtag #CancelNetflix to show their disapproval.
Hastings has long been a prominent figure in the tech world, and his support for Harris came as no surprise to those familiar with his political leanings. He congratulated Harris on X, stating, “Congrats to Kamala Harris — now it is time to win.” However, the reaction among Netflix subscribers, particularly those aligned with conservative politics, has been overwhelmingly negative.
Harris holds a slight lead over President Donald Trump in the most recent polls, with 49.1% to his 47.1%, though Trump remains stronger on issues like border security. The backlash against Netflix highlights the potential pitfalls for businesses when their leaders make high-profile political contributions, especially in a polarized political climate.
