DOJ Antitrust Chief Gail Slater Steps Down
The move sparks fears over the fate of the DOJ case against Live Nation
On Thursday February 12 Department of Justice antitrust chief Gail Slater announced she was stepping down.
Why it matters:
Slater was instrumental in pushing for the Live Nation-Ticketmaster antitrust case to go to trial.
As Digital Music News points out, Slater’s stepping down coincides with President Trump’s assertion that he wants Live Nation to assume venue operations at the Kennedy Center.
It also follows rumors that Live Nation has been lobbying the government to cut a deal to prevent the antitrust case from going to trial.
Also rumored is that Slater was asked to resign by White House officials, as per Digital Music News.
Should it proceed, the DOJ case against Live Nation-Ticketmaster is scheduled to begin in March.
What they said:
Gail Slater: “It is with great sadness and abiding hope that I leave my role as AAG for Antitrust today. It was indeed the honor of a lifetime to serve in this role. Huge thanks to all who supported me this past year, most especially the men and women of [the Antitrust Division].”
On Thursday February 12 Department of Justice antitrust chief Gail Slater announced she was stepping down.
Why it matters:
Slater was instrumental in pushing for the Live Nation-Ticketmaster antitrust case to go to trial.
As Digital Music News points out, Slater’s stepping down coincides with President Trump’s assertion that he wants Live Nation to assume venue operations at the Kennedy Center.
It also follows rumors that Live Nation has been lobbying the government to cut a deal to prevent the antitrust case from going to trial.
Also rumored is that Slater was asked to resign by White House officials, as per Digital Music News.
Should it proceed, the DOJ case against Live Nation-Ticketmaster is scheduled to begin in March.
What they said:
Gail Slater: “It is with great sadness and abiding hope that I leave my role as AAG for Antitrust today. It was indeed the honor of a lifetime to serve in this role. Huge thanks to all who supported me this past year, most especially the men and women of [the Antitrust Division].”
On Thursday February 12 Department of Justice antitrust chief Gail Slater announced she was stepping down.
Why it matters:
Slater was instrumental in pushing for the Live Nation-Ticketmaster antitrust case to go to trial.
As Digital Music News points out, Slater’s stepping down coincides with President Trump’s assertion that he wants Live Nation to assume venue operations at the Kennedy Center.
It also follows rumors that Live Nation has been lobbying the government to cut a deal to prevent the antitrust case from going to trial.
Also rumored is that Slater was asked to resign by White House officials, as per Digital Music News.
Should it proceed, the DOJ case against Live Nation-Ticketmaster is scheduled to begin in March.
What they said:
Gail Slater: “It is with great sadness and abiding hope that I leave my role as AAG for Antitrust today. It was indeed the honor of a lifetime to serve in this role. Huge thanks to all who supported me this past year, most especially the men and women of [the Antitrust Division].”
Gail Slater
Donald Trump
Kennedy Center
Antitrust Enforcement In Live Music
Industry Personnel Changes
Live Music Industry Legal Battles
Political Influence In Antitrust
Antitrust
Legal & Litigation
Government Appointments
Department Of Justice (DOJ)
Live Nation
Ticketmaster
Digital Music News
United States
Washington, US
👋 Disclosures & Transparency Block
This story was written with information from Digital Music News.
We covered it because it’s news that could impact the Live Nation-Ticketmaster DOJ case.
📨 Subscribe to NIF
Get news dropped in your inbox 👇
📨 Subscribe to NIF
Get news dropped in your inbox 👇
Related Articles
Policy & Legal
Feb 16, 2026
1 min read
UMG Acquisition of Downtown Music is Approved by European Commission
The deal, which has been severely decried by the music industry, is now able to go through
Policy & Legal
Feb 16, 2026
1 min read
PRS For Music Will Not Factor UK Grassroots Levy Into Licensing Calculations
This move will allow more money from the ticket levy to support grassroots venues in the UK
Policy & Legal
Feb 13, 2026
1 min read
UMG Inks Global Licensing Deal with ClicknClear
Paves the way for the use of licensed tracks in choreographed sports
UMG Acquisition of Downtown Music is Approved by European Commission
The deal, which has been severely decried by the music industry, is now able to go through
Harry Levin
Policy
Feb 16, 2026
PRS For Music Will Not Factor UK Grassroots Levy Into Licensing Calculations
This move will allow more money from the ticket levy to support grassroots venues in the UK
Harry Levin
Policy
Feb 16, 2026
UMG Inks Global Licensing Deal with ClicknClear
Paves the way for the use of licensed tracks in choreographed sports
Rod Yates
Policy
Feb 13, 2026
Mozart AI Raises $6M in Oversubscribed Funding Round
Says its user base has topped 100,000
Rod Yates
Policy
Feb 12, 2026
ASCAP Paid Out $1.75 Billion in Royalties in 2025
The amount is a record for the PRO
Harry Levin
Policy
Feb 12, 2026
SoundExchange Secures New Agreements in Barbados, Denmark, Kenya, Portugal, and More
These recent deals give the performance rights collection organization coverage of 91% of the global neighboring rights market
Harry Levin
Policy
Feb 11, 2026
