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Disney’s firing of Bob Chapek and the rehiring of Bob Iger as CEO shocked many, including Netflix co-CEO Reed Hastings.
L: Reed Hastings, Bloomberg R: Bob Iger, Samir Hussein || Getty Images
However, Hastings expressed no concern about 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. I had hoped that Iger would become president. He is great.
— Reed Hastings (@reedhastings) November 21, 2022
“Ugh,” Hastings tweeted Monday, “I was hoping Iger would run for president. He’s amazing.”
The dramatic board reshuffle came after Disney’s board learned that Chapek’s leadership was ousting top employees. Despite saying in the past that he wasn’t interested in returning to the House of Mouse, 71-year-old Iger apparently changed his mind.
Hastings was not dramatic about the potential for an Iger candidate. As This is reported by Business Insider, Iger first considered taking up running, but his wife discouraged him. It came up again:
He considered running for president for a second time after the 2016 election, saying America was “seriously in need of optimism” in the wake of Trump’s presidency. Yet he again encountered resistance from his family and decided against it.
Business Insider notes that Iger would go on to say he was “really naive” about his leadership skills and chances of winning.
There may be another reason why Hastings wishes Iger wasn’t back at the helm. Disney is officially one of Netflix’s strongest rivals for streaming audiences. Hastings could consider starting a movement to draft his rival exec for the 2024 race if Iger further tightens Disney’s hold on the market.
