Netflix has seen a noticeable increase in subscription cancellations following co-founder Reed Hastings’ $7 million donation to Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign. The donation, which was made public shortly after Harris announced her bid, has sparked significant backlash among conservative viewers and supporters of President Donald Trump.
According to data reported by Bloomberg, Netflix’s cancellation rates nearly tripled following Hastings’ financial support of a super PAC backing Harris. This surge in cancellations has been further fueled by social media activity, with Trump supporters promoting the hashtag #CancelNetflix, encouraging others to cut ties with the streaming service.
In July, Netflix’s U.S. cancellations reached 2.8%, a spike attributed not only to Hastings’ political donation but also to the company’s decision to eliminate its cheapest subscription plan. The controversy has put Netflix in the spotlight for both its pricing decisions and its leadership’s political leanings.
Hastings was one of the first tech leaders to throw his support behind Harris, posting on X, “Congrats to Kamala Harris — now it is time to win.” However, the endorsement hasn’t resonated well with Republican subscribers, many of whom view the streaming giant’s leadership as being disconnected from their values.
Harris currently holds a slim lead over Trump in recent polls, with 49.1% to his 47.1%. However, Trump maintains a significant advantage on issues like border security, where voters see him as more capable of handling the crisis. The impact of Hastings’ donation on Netflix’s future subscriber numbers remains to be seen, but the backlash serves as a reminder that politics and business can often collide.
