National Consumers League Welcomes Trump’s Executive Order, Calls for Congressional Action on Consumer Protections in Live Event Ticketing

Photo Credit: National Consumers League

The National Consumers League commends President Trump’s signing of an executive order aimed at protecting fans from exploitative ticket scalping.The National Consumers League (NCL) has released a statement applauding the executive order signed by President Trump on Monday, March 31. The order is aimed at protecting fans from exploitative ticket scalping and implements “common sense” reforms in the live entertainment ticketing industry. These are based around enforcing federal agencies to take action against sellers in the secondary market offering tickets for more than face value.

“This decisive action underscores the urgent need for Congress to pass the bipartisan Transparency in Charges for Key Events Ticketing (TICKET) Act,” reads the NCL’s statement. “It also emphasizes the need for rigorous enforcement of the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act, promotes price transparency throughout the ticket-purchasing process — including the secondary market — and mandates action to prevent unfair, deceptive, and anti-competitive practices in secondary ticketing.”

“For too long, consumers have faced exorbitant prices and deceptive practices when purchasing tickets for live events,” said Jason Breyault, NCL Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications. “This executive order is a significant step toward ensuring fairness and transparency in the ticketing marketplace. It provides a clear directive to consumer champions in Congress to swiftly enact the TICKET Act.”

The TICKET Act, which passed the House of Representatives last year by an overwhelming bipartisan margin, also passed unanimously in the Senate Commerce Committee in February. It has attracted broad support from consumer advocates, artists, venues, and ticketing platforms alike.“President Trump’s executive order highlights the critical need for legislative action to protect consumers,” added Breyault. “We urge Congress to seize this opportunity to pass the TICKET Act, ensuring that fans can access live entertainment without falling victim to unfair practices and inflated prices.”

The TICKET Act aims to implement all-in pricing and eliminating hidden fees; prohibit speculative ticket sales to prevent brokers from selling tickets they do not possess; and ban deceptive resale websites that mislead consumers as to their authenticity.