Rock star Neil Young filed a $10 million federal lawsuit against the Trump 47 Committee, alleging copyright infringement after his 1989 protest anthem Rockin’ in the Free World was played without permission at an Ohio campaign rally.
Neil Young Sues Trump Committee Over Youngstown Rally Song
The complaint targets the unauthorized use of his 1989 hit track Rockin' in the Free World
as a walk-up song before Donald Trump took the stage at an October 12 midterm rally in Youngstown, Ohio.
Young’s legal filing contends that the political committee caused the song to be played numerous times at various rallies organized to support Republican candidates in the upcoming midterm elections. According to the complaint, the musician never granted a public performance license for these events.
was personally aware that a licence would be required to play the Song at rallies.
Legal Counsel, via BBC
The lawsuit states that the organizers has not, and would not, grant the required licence.
Through his company Silver Fiddle Music, the Grammy Award winner, 80, alleges that the track was played without a licence or permission at the political gathering. The Canadian-American star previously objected to the use of his music when the track was played during Trump’s 2015 presidential campaign announcement. According to U.S. Congress rules cited in reporting, sound recordings lack a general public-performance right, meaning permission is required solely from the musical-work copyright holders.
Lawsuit Highlights Ideological Clash with Trump Campaign
The lawsuit emphasizes the ideological clash between the musician’s catalog and the political platform of the campaign using it.
The suit concludes that the song represents the opposite of everything that Donald J. Trump stands for.
Young later posted about the lawsuit on his website, thanking Trump for attending his concerts during the 1980s and 1990s while noting that money and transactions are things Trump understands.
Previous Legal Action From the 2020 Campaign
This federal action marks the second time Young has taken legal steps against a Trump political organization over the exact same musical composition. During the 2020 presidential cycle, the artist filed a copyright lawsuit in Manhattan federal court targeting the campaign’s use of both Rockin' in the Free World
and another track titled Devil's Sidewalk.
That prior litigation was resolved quickly after the campaign settled the matter in December 2020. According to the current complaint, the defendants in the earlier case asserted no defence and immediately settled shortly after it was served
while promising never to utilize the song again without explicit permission.
Demands for Financial Damages and Injunctive Relief
With the new filing, Young seeks $10 million in financial damages alongside a court-ordered injunction to block the committee from playing any of his musical works at future political gatherings. Representatives for the White House referred media inquiries to the Republican National Committee, while neither the RNC nor Trump 47 immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the litigation.
Young joins numerous other musicians who have condemned the use of their work at political events without permission. Additional disputes involving Trump’s campaign and administration music choices include actions and complaints from The White Stripes, the estate of Isaac Hayes, Kesha, Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, Ariana Grande, The Rolling Stones, Rihanna, Adele, R.E.M., and the estate of Prince.