Neil Young Sues Trump Campaign for $10M Over Unauthorized Use of 'Rockin’ in the Free World'

Neil Young has filed a $10 million copyright infringement lawsuit against Donald Trump’s re-election campaign, escalating a years-long dispute over the unauthorized use of his 1989 anthem 'Rockin’ in the Free World' at political rallies. The 80-year-old rock legend, known for his uncompromising stance on artistic control, claims the campaign has repeatedly ignored cease-and-desist notices and continued to blast the song at events, most recently at a Mount Rushmore rally in July 2020. The suit, filed in Manhattan federal court, seeks damages for willful infringement and an injunction to permanently bar future use. Young, who became a U.S. citizen in 2020, has been vocal about his opposition to Trump’s policies, calling the song’s use 'divisive and un-American.' This legal action follows similar complaints from artists like The Rolling Stones, Rihanna, and Pharrell Williams, who have all objected to their music being played at Trump events. With the 2024 election cycle heating up, the case underscores the ongoing tension between political campaigns and musicians who refuse to let their work be co-opted for partisan messaging. A ruling in Young’s favor could set a powerful precedent for artist control in the digital age.