Veteran rocker Neil Young has taken legal action against President Trump's fundraising arm, filing a $10 million copyright infringement lawsuit over the unauthorized use of his 1989 anthem "Rockin' in the Free World" at a recent campaign rally.
The suit, lodged on Monday against the Trump 47 Committee, claims the song was played just before Trump took the stage at an Oct. 12 rally in Youngstown, Ohio. Young's legal team argues that the committee's use of the track violates a settlement from a 2020 lawsuit, in which the Trump campaign reportedly promised never to play the song again without a license.
In the court filing, Young's lawyers describe the song as a "blistering anthem that contrasts the hollow promises of American political rhetoric with the harsh realities faced by the poor, homeless and forgotten." They highlight its vivid imagery—a mother discarding her baby, addicts lost in despair, garbage piling in the shadows of prosperity—and note that the chorus delivers "a savage irony, celebrating freedom that clearly isn't shared by all."
The complaint goes further, asserting that the song is "the opposite of everything that Donald J. Trump stands for." This is not the first time Young has objected to Trump's use of his music. He first requested a cease-and-desist in 2015, and in a 2018 public letter, he criticized Trump for ignoring his plea and for continuing to use the song despite his objections.
Young's 2020 lawsuit was settled quickly, with the Trump campaign reportedly agreeing not to use the song again. The new lawsuit alleges that the Trump 47 Committee has broken that pledge. Legal experts say the case could hinge on whether the settlement's terms apply to the new committee and whether the use at the rally was indeed unauthorized.
This legal battle comes amid broader scrutiny of Trump's campaign practices and his use of music at rallies. Trump's red-state push has drawn attention to his rally strategy, and his 2026 election gambits have raised legal questions. Meanwhile, House Democrats have demanded a special counsel probe into other Trump-related controversies.
Young's action underscores a growing trend of artists objecting to the use of their music by political campaigns. The lawsuit seeks damages and an injunction to prevent future use of the song.
As of now, the Trump 47 Committee has not publicly responded to the lawsuit. The case is expected to proceed in federal court, with Young's legal team arguing that the committee's actions were willful and that the settlement was clear.
