Neil Young files suit for second time over Trump’s use of ‘Rockin’ in the Free World’

Rock star Neil Young filed a $10 million lawsuit Monday over President Donald Trump’s use of his song “Rockin’ in the Free World” at campaign events — the second time the artist has filed a lawsuit over Trump’s use of his music.

In the five-page filing, Young’s lawyers claim the artist “suffered damage to his reputation and brand due to the implication that he supports Donald J. Trump in any way.”

The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Virginia against the Trump 47 Committee, a joint fundraising committee, alleging copyright infringement following the president’s repeated use of his hit song, specifically mentioning an October rally in Ohio.

“Rockin’ in the Free World is a scathing anthem that contrasts the empty promises of American political rhetoric with the harsh realities faced by the poor, the homeless and the forgotten,” the lawsuit states.

Monday’s lawsuit marks the latest example of musicians condemning Trump’s use of their songs without their permission. Young has previously criticized the playing of his songs at the president’s political events, and he filed a lawsuit over Trump’s use of “Rockin’ in the Free World” and another song, “Devil’s Sidewalk,” in 2020. That lawsuit, filed against Trump’s presidential campaign, was settled shortly after it was filed, Young’s team said.

“Rockin’ in the Free World” offers a critique of societal inequalities, which Young’s team highlighted in the lawsuit.

“The lyrics paint vivid portraits of the street – a mother abandoning her baby, drug addicts lost in despair, trash piling up in the shadow of prosperity – while the repeated refrain delivers a savage irony, celebrating a freedom that is clearly not shared by all,” the lawsuit states. “In short, the Song is the opposite of everything Donald J. Trump stands for.”

Contacted for comment, the White House referred NBC News to the Republican National Committee. Neither an RNC spokesperson nor “Trump 47” immediately responded to a request for comment.

Several other artists have already pushed back against the use of their music by Trump or the White House. After the White House used artist Kesha’s music in a military-themed social media post just weeks before the start of the Iran war, she said in a post that she “does NOT approve of my music being used to promote violence of any kind.”

Olivia Rodrigo also hit back at the Trump campaign for using her music in a video, writing in a post: “Ew, don’t ever use my sound again, ty.” »

Last year, Sabrina Carpenter called a White House video about apparent immigration enforcement actions using her music “evil and disgusting,” telling the White House: “Never implicate me or my music in furthering your inhumane agenda.”