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Decoder with Nilay Patel

Decoder with Nilay Patel

Everyone hates Ticketmaster. Why'd Trump go easy on them?

Decoder with Nilay Patel · Mar 26, 2026 · 37:30

0:0037:30

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Today, we’re talking about the major antitrust lawsuit against Ticketmaster parent company Live Nation, and what it might mean for antitrust and competition law in general now that the Trump DOJ has decided to settle its part of the case — even as several states including California, New York, and Texas carry on. 

To break it all down, I’m joined by Verge senior policy reporter Lauren Feiner. Lauren’s our resident court expert, and she’s been chronicling this trial from the beginning.

Links: 


States’ anti-monopoly case against Live Nation continues | The Verge


The Live Nation trial restarts with a ‘velvet hammer’ | The Verge


Live Nation settles government antitrust suit | The Verge


The Live Nation settlement has industry insiders baffled | The Verge


Listen to Live Nation CEO’s alleged threats to a concert venue | The Verge


The threats and bare-knuckle tactics of MAGA’s top antitrust fixer | WSJ


The Trump admin just gave Live Nation the gift of a lifetime | NYT


How Live Nation allegedly terrorized the concert industry | The Verge


The US government is trying to break up Ticketmaster | The Verge (2024)

Taylor Swift vs. Ronald Reagan: the Ticketmaster story | Decoder (2023)


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Credits:

Decoder is a production of The Verge and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Decoder is produced by Kate Cox and Nick Statt and edited by Ursa Wright. Our editorial director is Kevin McShane. 

The Decoder music is by Breakmaster Cylinder.
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Episodes: Decoder with Nilay Patel

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