Neil Young seeks $10 million from Trump coalition for rally song use
The musician claims the Trump 47 Coalition played his anthem without a license, a second legal dispute over the same track.
By Sofia Morales ·
Neil Young filed a federal lawsuit on Monday seeking $10 million in damages from the Trump 47 Coalition. The suit alleges the group used his song “Rockin’ in the Free World” at a recent political rally without a license.
The complaint describes the track as a blistering anthem that contrasts hollow political rhetoric with the harsh realities faced by the poor and homeless. It states that the lyrics paint vivid street-level portraits of despair while the chorus delivers savage irony. Young’s team argues the song is the opposite of everything Donald J. Trump stands for.
This is the second time Young has sued a Trump-affiliated group over this specific song. In 2020, he sued the Donald J. Trump for President committee for using the same track. The new filing notes that the previous group asserted no defense and settled shortly after being served. They promised they would never use the song again without a license and permission from Young.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Young is a dual citizen of the United States and Canada. He has expressed concern that the administration might bar him from returning to the country while on tour in Europe.
Trump has clashed with numerous musicians over the past year. These disputes have included spats with Bruce Springsteen, Jack White, Sabrina Carpenter, and Olivia Rodrigo. Young is considered one of the entertainment industry's most vocal critics of the current administration.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
