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The U.S. Department of Justice filed a major antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation, the parent company of Ticketmaster.
The Department of Justice under the Trump administration settled its portion of the antitrust case against Live Nation just one week into the trial.
Several states, including New York, California, and Texas, are continuing their antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation despite the federal government's settlement.
The Biden administration's Department of Justice originally sought to break up Live Nation by splitting off Ticketmaster.
Donald Trump reportedly intervened directly in the Live Nation antitrust case to demand a speedy settlement.
The government's antitrust case alleges that Live Nation illegally leverages its combined promotions and ticketing businesses to exert power over venues.
SeatGeek's CEO testified that the company had to offer "retaliation insurance" to venues to protect them from losing Live Nation shows if they switched from Ticketmaster.
John Abamondi, the former CEO of the Barclays Center, testified that he interpreted a call from Live Nation CEO Michael Rapinoe as a threat to withhold shows if the venue dropped Ticketmaster.
The Department of Justice and approximately eight states settled the antitrust case against Live Nation, while over two dozen states are continuing to litigate.
The Trump administration's antitrust enforcement approach is more open to settlements and engaging with corporate entities than the Biden administration's approach under Lina Khan and Jonathan Kanter.
Gail Slater, the head of the DOJ's antitrust division, left her post shortly before the Live Nation trial began amid reports of disagreements with higher-ups over corporate engagement.
A key part of the antitrust case against Live Nation is its control over amphitheaters, which allegedly makes it difficult for artists to book amphitheater tours without using the company.