In a decisive move to protect consumers from skyrocketing ticket prices and exploitative reselling practices, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday targeting ticket scalping and unfair pricing in the live event industry.
Standing beside Trump in the Oval Office was American musician Kid Rock, who has long advocated for fair ticketing practices. The directive aims to prevent “unscrupulous middlemen” from inflating ticket prices by reselling them at massive markups. It also calls for greater transparency in ticket pricing and stronger enforcement against predatory practices.
The order instructs the U.S. Attorney General and the Treasury Secretary to use “all legal means” to crack down on price gouging in the ticket resale market. Additionally, it mandates the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to ensure that ticket buyers are fully informed about pricing at every stage of the purchasing process, including the secondary ticketing market.
Addressing Hidden Fees and Automated Scalping
During the announcement, Kid Rock—dressed in a straw fedora and a red suit emblazoned with the American flag—illustrated the issue by explaining how ticket buyers are frequently blindsided by hidden fees.
“You buy a ticket for $100, and by the time you check out, it’s $170,” the Born Free singer said. “That’s unacceptable.”
He also criticized the use of automated bots, which allow scalpers to buy large quantities of tickets in seconds before real fans even get a chance. These tickets are then resold at extreme markups, sometimes increasing prices by 400–500%.
“These bots are stealing tickets from the fans and jacking up the prices,” Kid Rock continued. “People are fed up, and we need to put a stop to it.”
Building on Previous Antitrust Efforts
Trump’s executive order builds upon the ongoing legal battle against monopolistic control in the ticketing industry. Under the previous administration, President Joe Biden’s Justice Department sued Ticketmaster and its parent company, Live Nation Entertainment, in 2024, alleging that the company engaged in anticompetitive practices that harmed consumers.
While Live Nation has repeatedly denied claims of monopolization, it responded to Trump’s order on Monday by expressing support for stricter enforcement against price gouging and deceptive fees.
“We support efforts to improve fairness and transparency in ticket sales,” the company stated. “It’s time for stronger regulations to protect consumers from exploitative resale practices.”
A Game-Changer for Live Event Fans?
With this executive order, Trump is taking a firm stance against an industry practice that has frustrated millions of concertgoers and sports fans for years. The directive could lead to sweeping changes in how tickets are sold, ensuring that live events remain accessible and affordable to everyday Americans.
Industry experts are now closely watching how federal agencies will enforce the new measures and whether they will lead to meaningful reforms. For now, the White House has made it clear: ticket scalping and deceptive pricing tactics are officially in the government’s crosshairs.
