Live Nation’s chief executive spoke with President Donald Trump less than a month before the ticketing and events giant reached a surprise antitrust settlement with the Justice Department that consumer advocate groups have largely panned.
The highly-unusual conversation between Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino and the president was disclosed in a court filing on Monday. The disclosure also reveals that the White House counsel’s office was involved in finalizing the settlement.
“In February 2026, Mr. Rapino discussed a variety of topics related to Live Nation’s business with President Donald J. Trump; the status of DOJ’s lawsuit against Defendants came up but no substantive terms regarding any potential settlement were discussed,” Live Nation disclosed in a court filing.
The filing raises questions about whether Trump was personally behind the settlement and how closely he is involved in Justice Department decision-making.
CNN has reached out to Live Nation, the Justice Department and White House for comment.
