On March 31, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order aimed at addressing exploitative practices in the live entertainment ticketing industry.

This directive assigns the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) the responsibility of enforcing competition laws and enhancing price transparency throughout the ticket purchasing process. The order also highlights the need for action against unfair practices in the secondary ticket market, where scalpers frequently resell tickets at significantly marked-up prices.

The live concert and entertainment industry has a substantial economic impact in the U.S., contributing $132.6 billion and supporting nearly one million jobs. However, the industry faces challenges from unscrupulous middlemen who use automated bots to purchase tickets in bulk and resell them at inflated prices, often forcing fans to pay exorbitant amounts for access. The Executive Order seeks to ensure that artists receive fair compensation and that consumers are protected from excessive fees and unfair pricing.

In line with this order, President Trump has reiterated his commitment to safeguarding American consumers and increasing access to live entertainment. This initiative follows other actions taken by the administration aimed at reducing costs for families, including reforms in healthcare pricing and the termination of congestion pricing in New York City. The FTC, along with the Department of Justice, is expected to report on the progress of these efforts within 180 days, emphasizing the administration’s focus on combating unfair practices in the ticketing market.

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