Last week, Live Nation and Ticketmaster unexpectedly reached a settlement with the Justice Department in the antitrust lawsuit that was filed when Joe Biden was still in office. This meant that the controversial companies wouldn't have to face trial for illegally monopolizing the live-entertainment space and driving up ticket prices, and fervent Trump supporter Kid Rock, who testified against Live Nation and Ticketmaster, was pissed. Now, the Wall Street Journal reports that Trump personally pushed for the settlement.
Sources told WSJ that Trump heard about the Live Nation case from friends, including Hollywood talent agent and former Live Nation board member Ariel Emanuel, who told the president it should be settled. After the trial commenced, Trump allegedly started calling around to ask why it hadn't been settled, asking, "What's the holdup?" Both sides met at the White House on March 5 and the settlement was reached that day, sources said.
The deal prevented Live Nation/Ticketmaster from being broken up, though the terms make it easier for other promoters to compete for business in Live Nation venues. There are 13 main sections to the agreement, including that Live Nation has to sell off 13 of their venues.
Last year, Trump invited Kid Rock into the Oval Office to sign an executive order to help curb ticket scalping, though that FTC investigation was separate from the DOJ's lawsuit, which is about monopolistic practices.
