President Donald Trump spoke directly with Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino in the weeks leading up to the Justice Department’s settlement of its antitrust lawsuit against the entertainment giant and its Ticketmaster subsidiary, the company disclosed in a court filing.
Live Nation’s lawyers informed the court on Monday that the conversation between Trump and Rapino occurred in February and addressed the antitrust lawsuit. However, the company stated that the discussion did not involve “substantive terms” of any potential resolution.
The filing also indicated that White House lawyers participated in various communications between Live Nation and the Justice Department during February and March. These interactions included in-person meetings, videoconferences, phone calls, and written exchanges.
Antitrust Case and Settlement Details
The Justice Department announced a settlement for the antitrust case just days into the trial in March. This agreement was met with resistance from most states, which argued that the settlement did not sufficiently address Live Nation’s dominance in the live event ticketing and venue market.
Despite the settlement, the trial proceeded. Weeks later, a jury determined that the company operated as a monopoly, resulting in increased costs for concert and sports fans.
The federal government’s settlement terms included a cap on service fees at certain amphitheaters. It also introduced new ticketing options for promoters and venues, potentially enabling them to work with Ticketmaster competitors like SeatGeek or AXS, though not mandating such arrangements.
Jury Verdict and State Reactions
In New York, the jury found that Ticketmaster’s anticompetitive practices led to consumers in 22 states overpaying by an average of $1.72 per ticket. The judge could order the companies to reimburse these amounts.
State attorneys general involved in the lawsuit expressed hope that the jury’s verdict could lead to reduced ticket prices for music enthusiasts.
Live Nation issued a statement in April, noting that the jury’s verdict “is not the last word on this matter.”
The White House has declined to comment on Live Nation’s disclosure, directing inquiries to the Justice Department, which has not yet responded to requests for comment.
This revelation surfaces amid ongoing criticism regarding the Justice Department’s independence, with concerns raised about substantial oversight or interference from the White House and the president.
Mitchell Landsberg is the senior reporter for News Raise and focuses on Technology. Mitchell regularly writes about social media platforms and how influencers, industry and general people use them to communicate and make money.
