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President Trump’s executive order takes aim at ticket scalpers who rob fans of affordable concert tickets, striking a blow against the industry’s most predatory middlemen.
Key Takeaways
- President Trump signed an executive order targeting ticket scalpers who use automated bots to purchase and resell tickets at inflated prices
- The directive instructs the Federal Trade Commission and Attorney General to enforce existing competition laws in the live entertainment industry
- Scalpers and middlemen are depriving both fans of fair ticket prices and artists of their rightful earnings
- The National Consumers League supports the executive order but calls for Congress to pass the bipartisan TICKET Act for comprehensive reform
- The administration has given federal agencies 180 days to report back on implementation progress and recommendations
Trump Signs Executive Order to Combat Predatory Ticket Practices
President Trump has taken decisive action against the growing problem of ticket scalping and unfair practices in the live entertainment industry by signing a new executive order. The directive specifically targets scalpers who use automated software (bots) to purchase large quantities of tickets at face value before immediately reselling them at exorbitant markups, sometimes reaching 500% of the original price. This predatory practice has frustrated concertgoers for years while enriching middlemen who contribute nothing to the artistic or entertainment value.
The executive order directs both the Federal Trade Commission and the Attorney General to enforce competition laws more stringently in the live entertainment sector, with particular emphasis on the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act. The BOTS Act, which prohibits the use of automated software to circumvent security measures on ticketing websites, has seen limited enforcement despite widespread violations. Trump’s order puts scalpers on notice that exploitation of American consumers will no longer be tolerated.
Industry and Consumer Advocacy Support
The National Consumers League (NCL) has voiced strong support for the President’s action, recognizing it as an important step toward protecting consumers from exploitative practices. The organization also called for additional congressional action to create more comprehensive protections through legislation. Live entertainment giant Live Nation, which owns Ticketmaster, has also expressed support for the measures despite facing its own antitrust scrutiny during the previous administration.
“For too long, consumers have faced exorbitant prices and deceptive practices when purchasing tickets for live events,” said John Breyault, NCL Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud. “This Executive Order is a significant step toward ensuring fairness and transparency in the ticketing marketplace. It provides a clear directive to consumer champions in Congress to swiftly enact the TICKET Act.”
The problems in the ticketing industry have become so severe that they’ve crossed political lines, with performers and fans of all political persuasions acknowledging the need for reform. The executive order represents a common-sense approach to addressing market distortions that harm ordinary Americans seeking affordable entertainment options. In his directive, Trump specifically noted that the current practices are making concerts and live events increasingly inaccessible to the public.
Comprehensive Approach to Reform
The executive order goes beyond simply targeting scalpers, addressing several key areas that require reform. It mandates price transparency, requiring clear disclosure of all fees and charges up front rather than surprising consumers at checkout. The Treasury Department and Attorney General are also instructed to ensure that ticket scalpers comply with tax laws, closing potential loopholes that allow scalpers to evade proper taxation on their profits from reselling tickets.
The administration has set a firm timeline for action, requiring federal agencies to submit a comprehensive report within 180 days detailing actions taken and recommendations for further regulations or legislation. This report will provide a roadmap for additional reforms that may be necessary to fully address unfair practices in the industry. While the executive order doesn’t create any directly enforceable rights or benefits against the government, it establishes clear priorities for regulatory agencies that have previously neglected enforcement in this area.
Bipartisan Support for Further Action
The NCL is also urging Congress to pass the bipartisan Transparency in Charges for Key Events Ticketing (TICKET) Act, which has already passed the House and cleared the Senate Commerce Committee with broad support from both parties. This legislation would implement additional consumer protections, including all-in pricing, prohibition of speculative ticket sales, banning deceptive resale websites, guaranteeing refunds for canceled events, and strengthening enforcement against bots.
Live Nation, the parent company of Ticketmaster, issued a statement backing the administration’s efforts, “Scalpers and bots prevent fans from getting tickets at the prices artists set, and we thank President Trump for taking them head-on. We support any meaningful resale reforms — including more enforcement of the BOTS act, caps on resale prices, and more.”
President Trump’s action represents a clear acknowledgment that properly functioning markets require rules against deceptive and unfair practices. By targeting the most egregious abuses while preserving legitimate commerce, the administration is taking a balanced approach that will benefit both consumers and honest businesses in the live entertainment industry. The executive order demonstrates once again that Trump’s economic policies focus on protecting American consumers from exploitation while maintaining free market principles.