Live Nation’s monopoly trial is reportedly fracturing Trump’s Justice Department

The article discusses the ongoing antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation, the entertainment giant that owns Ticketmaster. According to the report, Live Nation executives have been bypassing the Justice Department's antitrust division and negotiating directly with more sympathetic senior officials to avoid a monopoly trial. The lawsuit, filed in May 2024 by the DOJ and 30 state and district attorneys general, alleges that Live Nation's dominance in the industry provides unfair commercial advantages, enabling it to engage in anticompetitive practices. The antitrust chief, Gail Slater, has pushed for a trial in March, but some of the negotiations have reportedly excluded her. The article suggests that the situation is causing a rift within the Justice Department, as the talks have reportedly sidelined the antitrust division. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the entertainment industry and the ongoing debate over corporate monopolies.