A newly unsealed court filing reveals that U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Live Nation Entertainment CEO Michael Rapino shortly before the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a surprise settlement with the company, according to a report by CNN published Wednesday.
Timing of the Call Raises Questions
The filing, submitted as part of an ongoing antitrust case, indicates that Trump and Rapino spoke by phone on the morning of June 22, 2026, just hours before the DOJ disclosed it had reached a settlement with Live Nation over allegations of monopolistic practices in the live events industry. The settlement, which was not widely anticipated, includes provisions that allow Live Nation to maintain its ownership of Ticketmaster while agreeing to certain operational changes.
The nature of the conversation between Trump and Rapino has not been disclosed, but the timing has sparked scrutiny from legal experts and congressional Democrats, who have called for an investigation into whether the president attempted to influence the DOJ's decision.
DOJ's Antitrust Case Against Live Nation
The DOJ had been investigating Live Nation since 2022 over concerns that its control of Ticketmaster gave it undue market power, leading to higher ticket prices and reduced competition. The case was seen as a major test of antitrust enforcement in the Biden administration, but it was carried over into Trump's second term after he took office in January 2025.
According to the court filing, the DOJ's settlement with Live Nation was finalized on June 22, 2026, and announced later that day. The terms require Live Nation to divest certain assets and agree to price caps on service fees for a period of five years. However, critics argue the settlement falls short of breaking up the company's monopoly.
Reactions and Calls for Investigation
Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) released a statement saying, "The American people deserve to know whether the president used his office to shield a corporate giant from accountability. This call raises serious ethical concerns." Similarly, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) called for a formal inquiry by the House Judiciary Committee.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the call, stating that "President Trump regularly speaks with business leaders to discuss economic growth and job creation. There was no improper influence." Live Nation declined to comment on the specifics of the call but said the settlement was reached through standard negotiations with the DOJ.
Background on Live Nation and Ticketmaster
Live Nation, the world's largest live entertainment company, merged with Ticketmaster in 2010. Since then, it has faced repeated accusations of anti-competitive practices, including exclusive contracts with venues and aggressive tactics against rival ticket sellers. The company reported $23 billion in revenue in 2025.
The settlement is expected to face a 60-day public comment period before a federal judge approves or rejects it. If approved, it would resolve the DOJ's antitrust case without admitting wrongdoing by Live Nation.
