Neil Young sues Trump 47 Committee Inc. for $10 million
Musician Neil Young filed a $10 million copyright infringement lawsuit on Monday against Trump 47 Committee Inc., alleging that the organization used his song “Rockin’ in the Free World” at rallies without permission, thewrap.com reported.
A Familiar Legal Battle Over Campaign Anthems
The new legal action in federal court highlights a recurring dispute over political campaign music. In 2020, Young and his publishing company, Silver Fiddle Music, sued Donald Trump’s presidential campaign for playing “Rockin’ in the Free World” and “Devil’s Sidewalk” at events.
That earlier case ended in December 2020 when the parties reached a settlement containing an agreement that the campaign would not use the song without proper licensing.
Allegations Tied to the Youngstown Rally
According to the court document obtained by thewrap.com, Monday’s filing argues that the committee played the track at the Youngstown rally and other political events without a license or Young’s permission.
The complaint states that the committee acted with personal awareness of the licensing requirement due to the previous 2020 settlement.
Song Themes Clash with Trump Platform
The lawsuit describes “Rockin’ in the Free World” as a critique of American political rhetoric that highlights poverty, homelessness, and addiction. The filing contends that the song’s themes represent the opposite of Donald J. Trump’s platform.
Young’s legal team stated in the documents that the unauthorized airings damaged the musician’s brand and reputation by implying political support.
Damages Sought and Silence From the White House
Alongside the $10 million in requested damages, the filing asks the court to issue an injunction barring the committee from playing the song at public political events in the future. A representative for the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from thewrap.com regarding the new legal filing.
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