Netflix is experiencing a surge in cancellations after co-founder Reed Hastings made headlines with a $7 million donation to a super PAC backing Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign. The wave of cancellations was reported shortly after Hastings publicly threw his support behind Harris, with many subscribers turning to social media to express their frustration.
Hastings, a long-time political donor, was one of the first high-profile tech leaders to endorse Harris after she entered the presidential race in July. Data shows that Netflix’s cancellation rates nearly tripled following the donation announcement, according to Bloomberg, which cited Antenna, a company that tracks streaming data.
The backlash was swift. Supporters of Republican candidate President Donald Trump took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to call for a boycott of the streaming giant. Many used the hashtag #CancelNetflix as they posted proof of their canceled subscriptions.
The timing of the surge in cancellations coincided with other factors, including Netflix’s decision to eliminate its lowest-cost subscription option. Bloomberg reports that in July, the company saw U.S. cancellation rates rise to 2.8%.
Hastings’ donation appears to have ignited a political firestorm among conservative viewers. “Congrats to Kamala Harris — now it is time to win,” Hastings posted on X shortly after the donation became public. This has only fueled discontent among Trump supporters, who view Netflix’s leadership as out of touch with their political values.
Netflix’s troubles come as Harris herself sees her polling numbers fluctuate. Despite some support, Harris currently leads Trump by only 2% according to recent RealClear Polling averages. The margin is slim, with many Republicans focusing their efforts on issues like immigration, where Trump has a commanding lead over Harris, particularly among Latino voters concerned about border security.
The question now is whether Netflix can weather the backlash or if the company will face more long-term damage from the donation. So far, the debate over Hastings’ involvement in the race shows no signs of slowing down.
