Almost no one expects Donald Trump to keep his word, but unlike most, Neil Young isn’t holding his own against the old man. Apprentice host.
Having repeatedly told Trump to keep his MAGA mitts away from his classic Rockin’ in the free world song, the 80-year-old grandfather of grunge brought embattled POTUS back into court today with a new $10 million copyright infringement lawsuit.
And, as Young always does on guitar, the two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member let Trump have it.
“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,” says the short but sharp complaint. “The lyrics paint vivid portraits of the streets – 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 the freedom that is clearly not shared by everyone. In short, the song is the opposite of everything Donald J. Trump stands for.”
Trump first used the 1991 riposte early in his first serious (semi-serious?) White House campaign in 2015. Young then told him to back off and told Trump to back off again in 2020 with legal action. As Young’s criticism of Trump grew louder in song and on stage, it seemed the 45th and now 47th president, or at least his lawyers, got it — until Oct. 12 in Youngstown, Ohio.
The five-page filing in a Virginia federal court states: “Just before Donald J. Trump took the stage to speak at the Youngstown Rally, the Committee provoked Rockin’ in the free world to play. Based on information and belief, the Committee played the song numerous times at other rallies intended to encourage Republican votes in the upcoming midterm elections.
As today clearly showed, you don’t mess with old Neil and you don’t break your word to him.
“Donald J. Trump (“Trump”) knew personally, today and at all rallies this year, that a license would be required to play the song at rallies and that Young has not and will not grant the required license,” the complaint proclaims.
“In 2020, Young sued another company created by Trump, Donald J. Trump For President, Inc., for copyright infringement of Rockin’ in the free world as well as another song written by Young,” adds the filing from attorneys Scott Simmons and Robert Besser v. Trump 47 Committee Inc.. “Donald J Trump For President, Inc. asserted no defenses and immediately settled shortly after its service, promising that it would never again use Rockin’ in the free world without license or authorization from Young.
The White House did not respond to Deadline’s request for comment on the complaint. But, with Trump, 80, posting fast and furious for struggling Republican candidates, don’t be surprised if octogenarian beards soon start flying like Tomahawk missiles.
On the other hand, Neil Young, or at least his lawyers, couldn’t resist a little wit, or at least a legal laugh at Trump’s expense — and maybe even their own. “Young has suffered damage to his reputation and brand due to the implication that he supports Donald J. Trump in any way,” the filing says in a statement that no one, anywhere, would believe. Keep rocking this to the free world.
Here’s Neil at last month’s Farm Aid show in the Commonwealth of Virginia, showing everyone how it’s done:
Gn entert
