Richard "Ric" Grenell, who has served in multiple roles in both Trump administrations, has been added to global entertainment juggernaut Live Nation's board of directors as the company faces an antitrust battle with the Department of Justice (DOJ) over its influence on the concert ticketing industry.

"We are pleased to welcome Ric to our Board," Live Nation board chair Randall Mays said in a news release announcing Grenell's appointment. "His background will bring a valuable perspective as Live Nation continues to contribute to a growing live music industry around the globe."

The DOJ and 30 state attorneys general sued Live Nation, the parent company of Ticketmaster, last year over its alleged "monopolistic control" of live events across the country. The DOJ, under then-Attorney General Merrick Garland, accused Live Nation of "unlawful, anticompetitive conduct" that has forced fans in the U.S. to pay more than those in other countries and stifled artist innovation.

Supporters of the government's case against Live Nation accused the company of appointing Grenell to try to pull influence with President Trump and his White House amid the conflict.

"Ticketmaster just put Trump advisor Richard Grenell on its board of directors to get out from under the Antitrust Division’s lawsuit against the company," American Economic Liberties Project (AELP) research director Matt Stoller wrote on the social platform X, linking to the news.

AELP has advocated for the government to dismantle the ticketing powerhouse created through the 2010 merger of Live Nation and Ticketmaster.

Grenell, who currently holds a "special envoy of special missions" title, also became president of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts earlier this year amid Trump's takeover of the Washington, D.C., cultural center.

"The power of live performances to bring people together while boosting local economies is transformative," Grenell said in a statement on his appointment to the Live Nation board Wednesday. "I'm proud to join the board and support Live Nation’s efforts to grow this positive impact of concerts around the world."

Grenell also wore multiple hats during Trump's previous administration, serving as acting Director of National Intelligence in 2020, ambassador to Germany from 2018 to 2020 and special envoy in peace negotiations for Serbia and Kosovo peace negotiations from 2019 to 2021.