Trump Signs Order to Crack Down on Ticket Price Gouging

2 months ago 6

The FTC is ordered to prevent ‘unfair, deceptive, and anti-competitive conduct in the secondary ticketing market.’

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday aimed at curbing “exploitative ticket scalping” and price-gouging practices in live entertainment events.

The order directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to work with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Attorney General Pam Bondi to ensure that scalpers who buy event tickets in bulk and resell them at inflated prices fully comply with the Internal Revenue Code and other applicable laws, according to a White House fact sheet.

It also instructs the FTC to “ensure price transparency at all stages of the ticket-purchase process” and to “take enforcement action” if deemed appropriate to prevent “unfair, deceptive, and anti-competitive conduct in the secondary ticketing market.”

The order specifically emphasized enforcing the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act, which prohibits the sale of event tickets obtained through a circumvention violation.

Singer-songwriter Kid Rock, whom Trump described as “a good friend” for many years, was also present during the signing in the Oval Office.

This story will be updated with additional information.