Neil Young sues Trump 47 Committee for $10 million over song use

Neil Young is seeking $10 million in damages from the Trump 47 Committee Inc for using his 1989 song Rockin’ in the Free World without permission. The Canadian musician filed the suit Monday in the US district court for the eastern district of Virginia, alleging copyright infringement after the track served as walk-up music at Donald Trump’s recent midterm election rallies.

This is the second lawsuit Young has filed against a Trump organization over the same song. In 2020, he sued Donald J Trump for President Inc. That earlier dispute ended in a settlement. According to the new filing, Trump’s organization promised it “would never again use Rockin’ in the Free World without a license and permission from Young.”

The current complaint argues that Trump’s repeated use of the track has harmed Young’s reputation. The suit states that the president’s actions imply a level of support for Trump that contradicts Young’s public stance. Young, a vocal critic of the administration, claims the association has damaged his brand.

Young’s lawyers describe the song as a stark contrast to the president’s values. The filing calls the 1989 release a “blistering anthem” that highlights the gap between political rhetoric and the reality faced by the poor and homeless. The document notes that the lyrics paint “vivid street-level portraits” of struggle, which the lawyers argue is the opposite of what Trump stands for.

The suit specifically cites the song’s performance at a rally in Ohio on October 12. It also notes that the track has been played numerous times at other events aimed at encouraging Republican votes in the upcoming midterms. Along with the $10 million in damages, Young is seeking an injunction to prevent further public performances of the song.

Young’s opposition to the president is well documented. He has criticized the administration in posts on his website and released a 2025 protest song titled Big Crime. In that track, he sings about removing “fascist rules” and cleaning the White House out. The Trump administration has not yet responded to the new suit.

The legal action occurs as the White House increases its use of pop culture references. Over the past year, the presidency has used songs by Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, and SZA to accompany videos about ICE or Iran strategy. In August, Taylor Swift removed her song August from a video celebrating the Trump presidency.