Young Sues Trump Group After Broken 2020 Pledge
The musician is seeking $10 million from the Trump 47 Coalition over the unlicensed use of his 1989 track at a political rally.
By Eric Laurent ·
Neil Young is suing the Trump 47 Coalition for $10 million. The lawsuit, filed in federal court on Monday, targets the use of the song “Rockin’ in the Free World” at a recent political rally. Young claims the organization used the track without a license.
The complaint describes the song as a “blistering anthem.” It contrasts the “hollow promises of American political rhetoric” with the harsh realities faced by the poor, homeless, and forgotten. Young’s team argues the lyrics depict vivid street-level scenes, including a mother discarding her baby and addicts lost in despair. The suit states the repeated chorus delivers a “savage irony” by celebrating freedom that is not shared by all. Young’s legal team calls the song “the opposite of everything that Donald J. Trump stands for.”
This is the second time Young has sued over the specific use of this track. In 2020, he took legal action against the Donald J. Trump for President group. The new filing notes that the 2020 team asserted no defense and settled shortly after being served. At that time, Trump’s team promised it would never use the song again without a license and permission from Young.
Young is a dual citizen of the United States and Canada. He has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration. Last year, while on a European tour, he expressed worry that Trump might bar him from returning to the country. Trump has clashed with other musicians as well, including Bruce Springsteen, Jack White, Sabrina Carpenter, and Olivia Rodrigo.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new filing. The suit seeks damages for copyright infringement. It marks a continuation of a dispute that began years ago and has now returned to the courts.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
