Neil Young Sues Trump 47 Committee Over Unauthorized Use of “Rockin’ in the Free World”

Neil Young is filing a lawsuit against the Trump 47 Committee over the unauthorized use of his iconic protest anthem, “Rockin’ in the Free World,” at a recent political rally. The lawsuit, filed on Monday, October 26, in the Eastern District of Virginia, specifically targets the former president’s primary political action committee as the organizer of the event, rather than Donald J. Trump himself. The suit cites an “unauthorized public performance” of Young’s 1991 hit at a rally held in Youngstown, Ohio, on October 12.

“‘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,” the lawsuit states. “The lyrics paint vivid, street-level portraits—a mother discarding her baby, addicts lost in despair, garbage piling in the shadows of prosperity—while the repeated chorus delivers a savage irony, celebrating freedom that clearly isn’t shared by all. In short, the Song is the opposite of everything that Donald J. Trump stands for.” Young’s legal representation has been contacted for comment.

The musician is seeking $10 million in damages on the grounds of copyright infringement, asserting that the Trump 47 Committee did not possess a license or permission from Young to play the track at the political event. Furthermore, Young is demanding a permanent ban preventing the committee, or any groups associated with it, from playing “Rockin’ in the Free World” or any other of his songs at future rallies.

This is not the first legal clash between Young and Trump’s political circles. During the 2020 presidential election, Young sued Donald J. Trump for President Inc. over the use of “Rockin’ in the Free World” and another track, “Devil’s Sidewalk,” at campaign rallies. The parties settled out of court under the agreement that the corporation would never use the song without a license and permission from Young. However, because the Trump 47 Committee operates as a separate organization, it was not bound by the terms of that previous settlement, resulting in the current legal dispute.

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