Causing high ticket prices. Heres nbc bay areas ian cull today, the department of justice filing a lawsuit seeking to break up ticketmaster and its parent company, live nation, alleging a monopoly over the Live Entertainment industry. This illegal conduct means higher prices, no price gouging. It comes after years of consumer complaints about soaring ticket prices and high fees, 30 states, including california, joined attorney general Merrick Garland in accusing live nation and ticketmaster of illegally squashing competition, not just in ticket sales but concert venue ownership, Artist Management and concert promotions. Live nation often sacrifices profits. It could earn as a venue owner by letting its venues sit empty, rather than opening them to artists who do not use live nation promotion services. Concert fans believe competition could lower the overall cost. I have no idea where these fees go to, but yeah, its pretty ridiculous. I think if it was, you know, up to the certain venue
Company of ticketmaster, is feeling the full weight of the u. S. Government and 30 states as it faces a massive new lawsuit accusing it of ripping off customers. The department of justice and states attorneys general say live nation acts as a monopoly, and scott mcgrew is here with us now. And scott, they actually say that they have emails to prove it. Yes they do. Good morning. The doj pointed us to emails between live nation and another ticket promoter called oak view group, where the two Companies Discussed not allowing artists and agents to play the two companies against each other. Just one of the many allegations in the lawsuit. But strong evidence of what the government would say is illegal collaboration between competitors. Just about every ticket buyers familiar with the frustration of trying to get a ticket. How theyre snapped up quickly, the astronomical prices scalpers set. Well, todays lawsuit does not solve those problems. It focuses rather, on the way live nation works w
While his own lawyer roasts him. Look, i get the defenses argument that you cant trust Michael Cohen because he hates donald trump, but, to be fair, everyone who has ever worked with donald trump hates donald trump. At some point, you have to be like, i think its trump. We also learned what the defense ordered for lunch today. 14 pizzas, four cheese, five pepperoni, four sausage and pepperoni, and one chicken, bacon, and ranch. No word yet on what trumps lawyers ordered. Boom, boom. Okay. Good morning. Welcome to morning joe. Willie, it is, today, officially, i have triple sourced this, friday. She did. Yes. We did it. Friday, may 17th, everybody. We made it. Welcome to morning joe. Along with joe, willie, and me, we have the host of Way Too Early, White House Bureau chief at politico, Jonathan Lemire. And Associate Editor, the great euGene Robinson. Jonathan lemire going to hang his American Flag upside down because the red sox lost last night. I did text that to you last night. It wa
Trial with wiz former fixer and Attorney Michael Cohen grilled by the former president s defense team about a phone call from eight years ago. Were going to bring you expert legal analysis on that testimony and what to expect next in the trial. Also ahead well explain why President Bidens interview with special counsel robert hur is back in the headlines months after the special counsel decide against seeking charges against the former president. And bring you the latest out of gaza amid growing dire humanitarian concerns. Good morning and welcome to Way Too Early on this friday, may 17th. We made it to friday. Im jonathan lemire. Thanks for starting your day with us. And we have a jampacked show this morning. And we will begin with Donald Trumps criminal Hush Money Trial, which is nearing the finish line and could potentially wrap up as early as next week. The prosecutions star witness, Michael Cohen, is set to return to the stand on monday after trumps legal team tried yesterday to h