Neil Young Hits Trump With $10M Lawsuit Over Rally Song
Neil Young is once again taking legal action against Donald Trump over the unauthorized use of his 1989 hit “Rockin’ in the Free World.” Young filed a copyright infringement lawsuit on Monday against Trump’s political action committee, Trump 47 Committee Inc., seeking $10 million in damages.
According to the complaint, the song was used as Trump’s walk-up music at an October 12 rally in Youngstown, Ohio, held for the upcoming midterm elections. Young’s attorneys argue that the track directly contradicts the platform of the politician.
A Blistering Anthem and a Repeated Dispute
“‘Rockin’ in the Free World’ is a blistering anthem that contrasts the hollow promises of American political rhetoric with the harsh realities faced by the poor, homeless and forgotten,” Young’s legal team wrote in the filing, pointing to the song’s street-level portraits of societal struggle. “In short, the song is the opposite of everything that Donald J. Trump stands for.”
Young maintains that he never granted a public performance license to the PAC. Furthermore, the rocker notes that this is not his first legal dispute with Trump over the track. Young previously sued Trump’s 2020 presidential campaign for using the same song. That prior lawsuit was quickly settled after the campaign allegedly promised it would never again use the track without permission.
Injunctions and Broader Music Industry Pushback
Along with financial damages, the new lawsuit seeks a legal injunction to prevent any further misuse of Young’s music. The complaint also highlights potential harm to the musician’s brand, citing damage to his reputation resulting from the implication that he supports Donald J. Trump.
Young is far from alone in challenging politicians over campaign music. Artists like The White Stripes and the estate of Isaac Hayes also initiated lawsuits in 2024 over unauthorized rally usage of their respective tracks.
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