Neil Young Files Second Copyright Claim Against Trump 47 Coalition
The musician seeks $10 million in damages after his 1989 track played at a recent presidential rally without a license.
By Bianca Shevchenko ·
Neil Young filed a federal lawsuit on Monday against the Trump 47 Coalition, seeking $10 million in damages for the unlicensed use of his song “Rockin’ in the Free World” at a recent political rally. The complaint marks the second legal action Young has initiated over the past few years regarding the president’s use of the track.
In the filing, Young’s legal team described the song as a blistering anthem that contrasts hollow political promises with the harsh realities faced by the poor and homeless. The suit argues that the lyrics paint vivid street-level portraits of despair, including a mother discarding her baby and addicts lost in the shadows of prosperity. The attorneys stated that the repeated chorus delivers a savage irony, celebrating a freedom that is not shared by all.
“In short, the Song is the opposite of everything that Donald J. Trump stands for,” the complaint said. Young accused the coalition of copyright infringement, noting that no license was obtained for the performance. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the new filing.
This dispute follows a similar lawsuit Young filed in 2020 against the Donald J. Trump for President committee. In that earlier case, Trump’s team asserted no defense and settled shortly after the suit was served. The 2020 settlement included a promise that the campaign would never again use “Rockin’ in the Free World” without Young’s license and permission. The new filing references that prior agreement, arguing that the coalition violated the terms of the previous resolution.
Young has been a vocal critic of the current administration. Last year, the dual citizen of the United States and Canada expressed concern that he might be barred from returning to the country during a European tour. The president has faced friction with numerous musicians in recent times, including Bruce Springsteen, Jack White, Sabrina Carpenter, and Olivia Rodrigo.
The case is currently pending in federal court. Young’s attorneys are seeking monetary relief for the unauthorized performance of the 1989 track. The Trump 47 Coalition has not yet filed a response to the complaint.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
