The Trump administration blindsided state attorneys general by agreeing to a settlement with Live Nation and Ticketmaster in the middle of a federal antitrust trial. The US Department of Justice and Live Nation informed the court of their proposed deal on March 8, just as testimony was beginning in the Southern District of New York.

State attorneys general from 27 states and Washington D.C. had been pursuing the case alongside the federal government, which sued Live Nation and its Ticketmaster subsidiary in 2024 for allegedly monopolizing the live music industry. The lawsuit sought to force Ticketmaster's divestiture from Live Nation, claiming the company controls 'the delivery of nearly all live music in America today.'

The judge reportedly called the settlement announcement 'absolutely unacceptable' and states quickly filed for a mistrial. They argue the US government's sudden withdrawal will mislead the jury into thinking Live Nation's 'antitrust violations have been cured' and that the states' claims lack merit.