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Live Nation told a court that Donald Trump spoke with chief executive Michael Rapino before the Justice Department settled its antitrust case. The disclosure has intensified scrutiny of White House influence as states press ahead after a jury found Ticketmaster to be a monopoly.
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Newyork,UPDATED: Jun 25, 2026 07:28 IST
US President Donald Trump spoke personally with Live Nation chief executive Michael Rapino in the weeks before the Justice Department settled its long-running antitrust case against the company and its Ticketmaster unit, according to a court filing by the company.
Lawyers for Live Nation told the court on Monday that Trump and Rapino discussed the lawsuit in February, but did not discuss the “substantive terms” of any possible settlement. They also said White House lawyers were involved in some of the many in-person meetings, video conferences, phone calls and written exchanges between the company and the Justice Department in February and March.
The Justice Department announced the settlement just days after the trial began in March. Most states refused to join the deal, saying it did not go far enough to limit the company’s dominance over concert venues and live-event ticketing through Ticketmaster. The trial went on, and several weeks later a jury found that the company was a monopoly that had harmed concertgoers and sports fans.
The White House declined to comment on Live Nation’s disclosure and referred questions to the Justice Department, which did not immediately respond. The disclosure comes at a time when the Justice Department has faced criticism that its independence has been weakened by heavy White House oversight or interference.
The Justice Department and dozens of states had originally joined hands to file the antitrust case against Live Nation. In New York, the jury found that Ticketmaster’s anti-competitive practices led people in 22 states to pay an extra USD 1.72 per ticket, an amount the judge could order the companies to repay. State attorneys general who sued Live Nation said the verdict could potentially result in lower ticket prices for music fans.
The federal government’s settlement included a cap on service fees at some amphitheatres and some new ticket-selling options for promoters and venues. These could allow, but would not require, them to work with Ticketmaster rivals such as SeatGeek or AXS. In April, Live Nation said in a statement that the verdict “is not the last word on this matter”. Overall, the case has continued to draw attention because of the jury’s monopoly finding, the states’ objections to the settlement, and the newly disclosed contacts between Trump, the White House and the company.
With PTI Inputs
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Published By:
India Today Web Desk
Published On:
Jun 25, 2026 07:28 IST
