Ending Soon! Save 33% on All Access

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings Reacts to Bob Iger's Disney Return "I had been hoping Iger would run for president."

By Steve Huff

L: Reed Hastings, Bloomberg R: Bob Iger, Samir Hussein || Getty Images

Disney's firing of Bob Chapek and rehiring Bob Iger as CEO shocked many, including co-CEO of Netflix, Reed Hastings.

Hastings, however, didn't express concern over Iger as a competitor. In a tweet, he made it clear that he thought Iger was better suited for an even bigger job — president of the United States.

"Ugh," tweeted Hastings Monday, "I had been hoping Iger would run for President. He is amazing."

The dramatic executive reshuffling happened following Disney's board learning that Chapek's leadership was driving top-shelf employees away. Despite having said in the past that he wasn't interested in coming back to the House of Mouse, the 71-year-old Iger evidently changed his mind.

Hastings wasn't being dramatic regarding the potential for a candidate Iger. As Business Insider reports, Iger first considered running, but his wife discouraged him. It came up again:

He considered running for president for a second time after the 2016 elections, saying that America was "gravely in need of optimism" in the wake of the Trump presidency. Still, he was met with resistance by his family once again and decided against it.

Business Insider notes that Iger would go on to say he was "'really naive' about his leadership abilities and chances of winning."

There might be another reason Hastings wishes Iger wasn't back at the helm. Disney is officially one of Netflix's strongest rivals for streaming audiences. Hastings might consider starting a movement to draft his rival exec into the 2024 race if Iger further strengthens Disney's hold on the market.

Steve Huff

Entrepreneur Staff

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

TikTok Reportedly Laid Off a 'Large Percentage' of Employees as the App's Fate in the U.S. Remains Unclear

Laid-off TikTok employees were notified Wednesday night through Thursday morning.

Business News

More People Are Exploring Entrepreneurship Because of This Unexpected Reason

More new business applications were filed in 2023 than in any other year so far.

Business News

Four Seasons Orlando Responds to Viral TikTok: 'There's Something Here For All Ages'

The video has amassed over 45.4 million views on TikTok.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Leadership

8 Subtle Hints that People Don't Respect You — and How to Fix Them

While you have to earn respect, you don't have to deal with disrespect in the meantime.