Neil Young is taking Donald Trump's political operation to court again. On Monday, Oct. 26, the musician sued the Trump 47 Committee for copyright infringement, seeking $10 million in damages and an order barring further use of his music after "Rockin' in the Free World" was allegedly played without a license as Trump's walk-up song at an Oct. 12 midterm campaign rally, Billboard, Rolling Stone and Consequence reported.
The committee is a joint fundraising operation Trump formed with the Republican National Committee. Trump himself is not named as a defendant. The White House, the committee and the RNC did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
A broken promise, the suit says
Young previously sued Trump's 2020 reelection campaign over its use of "Rockin' in the Free World" and "Devil's Sidewalk." According to the new complaint, that case was quickly settled after the campaign promised never again to use the song without Young's license and permission. The filing alleges Trump was personally aware a license was needed and knew Young had not granted one and would not.
The suit also argues the 1989 song is a strange fit for Trump, describing it as a searing anthem that sets political promises against the realities of poverty, addiction and neglect. "In short, the song is the opposite of everything that Donald J. Trump stands for," the complaint states, according to Billboard. Young's lawyers add that he has suffered reputational harm from any suggestion he supports Trump.
A decade-long fight
The feud dates to Trump's 2015 campaign launch at Trump Tower, when he used the track and Young objected immediately. He objected again in 2018. Young, 80, has kept the song in his own political arsenal, closing a September show with Willie Nelson with it while chanting "Take America Back," and it was performed by Bruce Springsteen, Dave Grohl and Tom Morello at this month's Power to the People Festival.
He is far from alone. Artists from Rihanna and Pharrell Williams to Linkin Park, Axl Rose and The White Stripes, along with the Tom Petty and Sinéad O'Connor estates, have objected to Trump's use of their music, and the Isaac Hayes estate settled its own lawsuit this year. Once the committee is served, it will generally have 21 days to respond; no hearing has been set.
Reporting sources: Consequence, “Neil Young Sues Trump for $10 Million Over Use of “Rockin’ in the Free World”” · Music News, “Neil Young Sues Trump Committee for $10 Million Over Use of ‘Rockin’ in the Free World’” · Billboard, “Neil Young Hits Trump With $10M Lawsuit for Playing ‘Rockin’ in the Free World’ at Rally — Again”.