Live Nation CEOs Talks with Trump Revealed in DOJ Settlement Documents

In a federal court filing released Monday, Live Nation Entertainment disclosed that its chief executive, Michael Rapino, spoke with former President Donald Trump in February 2026 about the company’s antitrust lawsuit. The conversation was part of a series of discussions that began in February 2025 and continued through March 2026, during which Live Nation sought a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) over claims that the company and its Ticketmaster subsidiary operate a monopoly in the live‑event ticketing market.

The lawsuit, filed by the DOJ and 40 states in May 2024, alleges that Live Nation and Ticketmaster engaged in anticompetitive conduct that raised ticket prices and limited competition. The case went to trial in March 2026. Days into the trial, the DOJ reached a settlement with Live Nation, a move that surprised the plaintiff states and the presiding judge. The settlement was criticized by Democratic lawmakers; Senator Amy Klobuchar said, “it is clear the American people got the raw end of the deal.” In a statement after the settlement, Rapino called the deal “a major step in improving the concert experience for artists and fans throughout the United States.”

Live Nation’s court documents detail that the company maintained regular contact with federal officials over the course of about a year. In February 2026, Rapino discussed a variety of topics related to Live Nation’s business with President Trump, noting that the DOJ lawsuit was mentioned but that no substantive settlement terms were exchanged. The company also listed other representatives who participated in the talks, including CFO Joe Berchtold, former White House counsel Kellyanne Conway, former White House chief of staff Mike Davis, and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Richard Grenell. Grenell, who had been appointed to Live Nation’s board of directors in 2025, was a point of contention for critics who viewed the appointment as a political maneuver.

According to the filing, Davis and legal representative William Levi began opening settlement discussions in early 2025. By June of that year, Live Nation representatives met with DOJ officials at the Office of the Attorney General, which led to formal settlement talks that resumed in September. The company continued to negotiate with the DOJ in February and March 2026, and also engaged with the White House counsel’s office after Assistant Attorney General Gail Slater stepped down in February.

While the DOJ settled, more than 30 states continued the trial on their own, hiring prominent antitrust lawyer Jeffrey Kessler to represent their interests. In April 2026, a federal jury found Live Nation and Ticketmaster liable on the states’ antitrust claims, a verdict that has prompted the states to push for remedies that could include breaking up the companies’ monopoly. Both the states and Live Nation await a court decision on the specific remedies that will be imposed.

The disclosure of the Trump conversation is part of Live Nation’s compliance with the Antitrust Procedures and Penalties Act, which requires detailed reporting of communications that could influence settlement negotiations. The company has not issued a statement in response to the release of the documents.

The settlement and the ongoing state litigation underscore the continued scrutiny of Live Nation’s market power and the broader debate over ticket pricing and consumer choice in the live‑event industry. As the court considers the remedies, the outcome will shape the future of ticket sales, venue operations, and artist promotion across the United States.