Trump Executive Order Takes Aim at Ticket Scalpers

On March 31, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at combating ticket scalping and enhancing price transparency in the live entertainment industry. The order directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce existing laws against the use of automated bots by scalpers, which are employed to purchase large quantities of tickets for resale at inflated prices.

Additionally, the order instructs the Treasury Secretary and the Attorney General to ensure that ticket scalpers comply with Internal Revenue Service regulations. The FTC is also tasked with promoting price transparency throughout the ticket-purchasing process and taking enforcement action against unfair or deceptive practices in the secondary ticket market.

The signing ceremony featured musician Kid Rock, a longtime supporter of President Trump, who emphasized the need for fair ticket pricing and criticized the use of bots that acquire tickets in bulk for resale at exorbitant prices.

This executive order builds upon the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act of 2016, which prohibits the circumvention of online ticket purchase controls and the resale of tickets obtained through such means.

The initiative reflects ongoing efforts to address issues in the ticketing industry, highlighted by incidents like the controversy surrounding ticket sales for Taylor Swift’s 2023 Eras Tour, which drew attention to monopolistic practices and consumer dissatisfaction.