President Donald Trump instructed the Department of Justice to settle its antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation after meeting with CEO Michael Rapino in the Oval Office in late February, The Wall Street Journal reports.
The article details the lobbying efforts and behind‑the‑scenes maneuvering that led to Live Nation’s surprise settlement with the DOJ in early March, just weeks into the federal antitrust trial. Some co‑plaintiff states joined the deal, while others continued the case, ultimately resulting in a jury finding Live Nation liable for monopolistic conduct in April.
The Wall Street Journal previously reported that the settlement was reached after a White House meeting on March 5 attended by Rapino, company attorneys, and DOJ officials, including former Attorney General Pam Bondi. Rapino had also met with Trump a few weeks earlier.
According to the report, Rapino’s February 27 Oval Office meeting centered on Trump’s plans to overhaul the Kennedy Center and his desire to have Live Nation manage its operations. During the discussion, Trump also asked why the company had not yet settled its antitrust case and later directed the DOJ to strike a deal.
Representatives for Live Nation and the White House did not immediately comment.
The DOJ’s settlement with Live Nation has drawn criticism for both its origins and its terms. While it forced some concessions on amphitheater operations and Ticketmaster exclusivity, many argue it falls short of addressing the company’s alleged monopoly. Plaintiff states are now seeking to compel Live Nation to divest from Ticketmaster following their courtroom victory.
Live Nation’s executive vice president of corporate and regulatory affairs, Dan Wall, praised the agreement in a statement to the WSJ. “Our critics are comparing this settlement to the irrational hope of breaking up Live Nation and Ticketmaster,” Wall said. “For the actual claims in this case, the DOJ and settling states got as much or more as they could have expected to win in court.”
Wall also defended the company’s outreach to senior DOJ officials, noting that Live Nation could not secure a meeting with the Antitrust Division for months. “When you’ve been unable to get a meeting for six months, you have every right to try something else.”
The firm worked closely with several Trump allies, including Kellyanne Conway and attorney Mike Davis, who had previously lobbied the DOJ on other matters. According to the WSJ, Live Nation also hired Sullivan & Cromwell, whose team included antitrust experts and James McDonald—a lawyer with limited antitrust experience who was then representing Trump in New York criminal cases. Trump later appointed McDonald to lead the Southern District of New York U.S. attorney’s office.
Two senior DOJ political appointees reportedly influenced early settlement drafts, urging the Antitrust Division to remove language that would have forced Live Nation to sell Ticketmaster. They also echoed talking points the company had unsuccessfully used in court.
The case now proceeds to the remedies phase, where Judge Arun Subramanian will determine appropriate penalties for Live Nation. He must also review and approve the DOJ’s settlement, assessing whether it serves the public interest. In a July letter, plaintiff states expressed “significant concerns” that the settlement was not in the public interest and requested additional details on how it was negotiated.
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