Staff Reports
In a recent wave of reports, it has come to light that the Biden administration is ramping up its efforts on antitrust enforcement to potentially bolster the President’s floundering poll numbers on economic matters. This move has raised eyebrows, with experts suggesting that Biden is using attacks on large corporations to divert attention from issues such as inflation and rising costs for Americans.
One of the focal points of this antitrust crackdown has been Ticketmaster, blamed for inflating ticket prices following the controversy surrounding Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. However, Senator John Kennedy has pointed out that the real culprits behind soaring ticket costs are ticket resellers, who jack up prices for profit. Kennedy’s remarks during a Senate hearing offered a simple solution – banning or limiting ticket resale to combat this issue.
Are the Democrats Being Paid to Go After Ticketmaster Instead of All Ticket Re-sellers?: RedState pic.twitter.com/ZqPCErPaCn
— Ian Hansen 🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@IanHansenFeed) June 20, 2024
The spotlight on Ticketmaster has drawn attention away from major ticket resellers like StubHub and its affiliate Viagogo, which dominate the market. Interestingly, StubHub’s CEO, Eric Baker, has made significant donations exclusively to Democratic entities, including the Biden Victory Fund and several state Democratic parties. The substantial financial support to Democrats raises questions about potential motives behind targeting Ticketmaster over other players in the industry.
The substantial contributions from StubHub’s CEO to Democratic causes could be seen as an attempt to influence the Biden administration’s focus on Ticketmaster, potentially masking StubHub’s own role in driving up ticket prices. This partisan giving strategy could backfire, especially if Trump returns to office, as it may highlight perceived bias within the DOJ under Biden’s leadership.
As the antitrust actions unfold, it will be crucial to monitor how this political funding ties into the regulatory actions taken against ticketing entities. The implications of corporate influence on government decisions raise concerns about fair competition and transparency in the market.
