Ticket fees, scalpers targeted in latest Trump executive order
President Trump joined by Kid Rock in Oval Office
President Trump spoke to reporters Monday in the Oval Office, answering questions on tariffs, the possibility of a third term and much more. He reiterated that Wednesday's major tariff announcement will be "reciprocal" to other nations and, adding they will be "lower than what they've been charging us." Trump was joined by musician Kid Rock.
WASHINGTON -
President Donald Trump signed an executive order targeting ticket fees and scalpers on Monday.
The order aims to tackle several issues customers may encounter when purchasing tickets for sporting events or concerts.
Trump signed the order in the Oval Office with country singer Kid Rock standing next to him.
Country singer, Kid Rock (L), stands next to President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on March 31, 2025. (LiveNOW from FOX)
Protecting fans from overpaying
FILE - A man holds a sign saying 'I need tickets' for the Super Bowl XLI. (Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
What we know:
The order will direct the Federal Trade Commission to work with the attorney general to ensure that competition laws are enforced in the concert and entertainment industry.
It also aims to enforce the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) act and promote its enforcement by state consumer protection authorities.
The order is expected to ensure price transparency at all stages of the ticket-purchasing process, including through the secondary ticketing market; and will evaluate, and, if appropriate, take enforcement action to prevent "unfair, deceptive, and anti-competitive conduct" in the secondary ticketing market.
Under the order, the Treasury Department, Justice Department, and the FTC will also deliver a report within 180 days summarizing the actions taken to address the issue of unfair practices in live concert and entertainment industry and will recommend additional regulations or legislation needed to protect consumers.
RELATED: Most common hidden ‘junk fees’ and how much they cost you
Biden’s junk fee ban proposal
Separate from Trump’s order, in 2023, former President Joe Biden’s administration proposed a new Federal Trade Commission rule that would require more transparency from companies when it comes to "junk fees."
The backstory:
"Junk fees" were described as any hidden or misleading charges that increase the total cost of concert tickets, hotel rooms, utility bills and other goods and services.
By the numbers:
The White House estimates consumers pay as much as 20% more than they would have had they known the total cost of certain goods, such as tickets, up-front.
The FTC estimates that consumers waste 50 million hours each year searching for the total price for tickets and lodging.
The time saved in those two categories because of the rule would be equivalent to about $1 billion annually, the agency estimates.
The Source: Information for this article was gathered from The Associated Press, FOX News, TMZ reporting and previous reporting from LiveNOW from FOX.