Neil Young, the Canadian-American rock musician, has filed a $10 million copyright infringement lawsuit against former President Donald Trump’s campaign committee, alleging unauthorized use of his song “Rockin’ in the Free World” at a rally in Youngstown, Ohio.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Virginia, names the Trump 47 Committee, a joint fundraising committee, as the defendant. According to the filing, the song was played just prior to Trump taking the stage at the October rally. Young’s legal team argues that the unauthorized use has caused damage to his reputation and brand, implying an association with Trump’s political campaign.
This is the second time Young has sued over Trump’s use of his music. In 2020, he filed a similar lawsuit against Trump’s presidential campaign over the use of “Rockin’ in the Free World” and another song, “Devil’s Sidewalk”, during a Fourth of July event at Mount Rushmore. That case was settled shortly after filing, according to Young’s representatives.
The lawsuit highlights the song’s lyrical themes, which Young’s legal team describes as a critique of societal inequities, including poverty and homelessness. They argue that the song’s message contrasts sharply with Trump’s political positions. The filing states: “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 did not respond to requests for comment. A spokesperson for the Republican National Committee (RNC) and the Trump 47 Committee declined to comment when reached by NBC News. The White House also did not respond to inquiries about the lawsuit.
The lawsuit seeks $10 million in damages and alleges that the Trump 47 Committee played the song “numerous times” at rallies aimed at encouraging Republican votes in the upcoming midterm elections. The complaint emphasizes that Young has previously criticized Trump’s use of his music without permission, including during Trump’s 2016 campaign announcement at Trump Tower.
This legal action follows a pattern of musicians objecting to the use of their songs in political events without consent. Young’s representatives have stated that the unauthorized use implies support for Trump, which they deny. The lawsuit underscores ongoing debates over artistic control, copyright enforcement, and the intersection of music and politics in campaign settings.