Trump spoke with Live Nation CEO shortly before surprise Justice Department settlement, court filing reveals
Live Nation disclosed in a court filing that CEO Michael Rapino spoke personally with President Donald Trump in February. This conversation happened less than a month before the Justice Department reached a surprise antitrust settlement with Live Nation and Ticketmaster. The agreement has faced criticism from various state attorneys general and a judge.
What changed
A court filing now confirms the personal conversation between President Trump and CEO Michael Rapino.
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Court Filing Confirms Trump Spoke With Live Nation CEO Before DOJ Settlement
confidence 100%Live Nation disclosed in a court filing that CEO Michael Rapino spoke personally with President Donald Trump in February. This conversation happened less than a month before the Justice Department reached a surprise antitrust settlement with Live Nation and Ticketmaster. The agreement has faced criticism from various state attorneys general and a judge.
What's confirmed:
- Live Nation disclosed in a court filing that CEO Michael Rapino spoke personally with President Donald Trump in February.
- The conversation occurred less than a month before Live Nation and Ticketmaster reached a surprise antitrust settlement with the Justice Department.
- The Justice Department described the tentative settlement as a victory for consumers to end an illegal monopoly over live events.
- More than two dozen states intended to continue fighting the companies in court despite the settlement.
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Court Filing Reveals Trump Spoke With Live Nation CEO Before DOJ Settlement
confidence 100%President Donald Trump spoke personally with Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino in February regarding an antitrust lawsuit. This conversation occurred less than a month before the Justice Department reached a surprise settlement with the company and its Ticketmaster subsidiary. Consumer advocate groups have largely panned the agreement.
What's confirmed:
- President Donald Trump spoke personally with Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino in February about the antitrust lawsuit.
- The conversation took place less than a month before Live Nation and Ticketmaster reached a surprise antitrust settlement with the Justice Department.
- Live Nation lawyers stated that Trump and Rapino did not discuss substantive terms of any potential settlement.
- The federal government and dozens of states filed an antitrust complaint against Live Nation in 2024 alleging industry monopolization through ticketing control.
- Consumer advocate groups have largely panned the Justice Department settlement.