President Donald Trump issued a sweeping executive order on Monday aimed at curbing what he called “unfair practices” in the live entertainment ticketing industry. The order takes direct aim at ticket scalpers, price-gouging middlemen, and opaque pricing structures that have made it increasingly difficult for fans to afford tickets to concerts, sports events, and other live shows.
A Crackdown on Scalping and Excessive Fees
The executive order, titled “Combating Unfair Practices in the Live Entertainment Market,” outlines a comprehensive plan to crack down on practices that drive up ticket prices and limit fan access. It calls for enforcement of antitrust laws and greater transparency in both primary and secondary ticket markets.
“America’s live concert and entertainment industry is the envy of the world,” the order states. “But it has become blighted by unscrupulous middlemen who impose egregious fees while providing minimal value.”
Trump cited reports of fans paying as much as 70 times face value to attend live events. He noted that in such cases, none of the inflated resale profits go to the artists, but instead to scalpers and ticket agencies.
Key Directives
The order lays out several specific mandates for federal agencies:
- The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Department of Justice are instructed to enforce competition laws in the entertainment industry, particularly where ticketing agencies and venues may be working together to suppress competition.
- The FTC is directed to enforce the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act more aggressively, including working with state attorneys general to stop the use of bots that scoop up tickets en masse.
- Price transparency is also a major focus. The FTC is tasked with ensuring that consumers see full ticket costs — including fees — upfront, and not only at the final checkout screen.
- The Treasury Department and Justice Department will ensure that ticket resellers comply with tax laws and are properly reporting income.
Reporting Requirements and Timeline
The executive order sets a 180-day deadline for a formal report from the Secretary of the Treasury, Attorney General, and FTC Chair. That report will outline actions taken and recommend further regulatory or legislative changes if needed.
Context and Industry Impact
The announcement comes amid growing public frustration with the cost and accessibility of live entertainment, highlighted by recent controversies involving dynamic pricing and massive resale markups. Some artists have voiced concerns over the ticketing system, including Taylor Swift and Bruce Springsteen, whose tours have drawn criticism for soaring prices.
Consumer advocates have long pushed for reforms, citing a lack of transparency, monopolistic practices, and the dominance of companies like Ticketmaster in both primary sales and resale platforms.
Trump’s order, while not introducing new legislation, leverages existing laws and regulatory authority to pressure the industry into reform. It also signals a potential area of bipartisan support, with lawmakers across the aisle previously calling for greater scrutiny of the ticketing industry.
What’s Next
With live events playing a major role in cultural life, the executive order could become a flashpoint in debates over consumer protection and corporate accountability.
In the meantime, fans hoping for cheaper, fairer access to tickets may soon see whether this executive order brings about real change — or if further action from Congress will be needed.
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