President Trump Signs Order Targeting Ticket Scalping Practices

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump signed an executive order on March 31, 2025, aiming to combat ticket scalping and promote fair pricing in the live entertainment industry. Standing alongside musician Kid Rock, Trump emphasized the need to address the issues consumers face when purchasing tickets to events.

“Anyone who’s bought a concert ticket in the last decade knows it’s a conundrum,” Rock said during the signing ceremony in the Oval Office. “You buy a ticket for $100, and by the time you check out, it’s $170. But more importantly, these bots come in and get all the good tickets for your favorite shows, then they’re re-listed immediately for sometimes a 500 percent markup. The artists don’t see any of that money.”

The executive order directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce existing laws regarding ticket sales and to ensure compliance among ticket resellers with competition regulations. Additionally, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent are tasked with ensuring that scalpers adhere to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules. The order also calls for enhanced enforcement of the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act, which was established to prevent automated ticket purchases that drive up prices for consumers.

According to the White House, reports indicate that fans can pay up to 70 times the face value for tickets on the secondary market, with little to no financial benefit going to the artists themselves. “Scalpers and bots prevent fans from getting tickets at the prices artists set, and we thank the President for taking them head-on,” said a spokesperson for the music industry.

The live entertainment industry has been under scrutiny following incidents such as the overwhelming demand for tickets to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, which led to excessive pricing in the resale market. In 2022, New York State enacted legislation aimed at protecting consumers from inflated prices, while Senator Amy Klobuchar held hearings to address the ticketing challenges faced by fans.

During the Oval Office event, Kid Rock noted he would like to see additional legislative measures implemented, including price caps on resale tickets. “This is a major victory for concertgoers, for sports fans, for people who really want to see a change,” Klobuchar mentioned regarding the ongoing scrutiny of ticketing practices.

Live Nation, which holds a 70% market share in ticketing, previously faced accusations of monopolistic practices but has denied these claims. As the executive order prompts further regulatory actions, the FTC has been urged to provide a report within six months detailing steps taken to address ticket scalping and recommending additional regulations to enhance consumer protection.

“Ticket scalpers use bots and other unfair means to acquire large quantities of face-value tickets, then resell them at an enormous markup, price-gouging consumers,” the White House statement read. Kid Rock added, “It’s kind of ridiculous. I would rather be a hero to working-class people and have them be able to come attend my shows at a fair ticket price.” He hopes this executive order can lead to more equitable ticket pricing for fans across the country.