Radical leftist rock and roll legend Neil Young has filed a $10 million copyright infringement lawsuit against President Donald Trump for playing one of his most well known hits, “Rockin’ in the Free World” at one of his political rallies. Young and Trump have tangled over the use of his song, going all the way back to 2015, with the rocker having threatened him with legal action on two different occasions.
During the 2024 presidential race, Trump avoided Young’s song, but it made an appearance at a rally held in Youngstown, Ohio on October 12, 2026. The singer, originally born in Canada, has repeatedly made it known that he cares little for Trump and his America first agenda. Which is no surprise given Young’s lifelong dedication to liberal ideology.
Young decided this time around to actually file the lawsuit instead of threatening legal action against the president. The lawsuit is for copyright infringement and seeks $10 million in damages from Trump. In the complaint, which was filed in Virginia and is five pages in length, the singer’s attorneys say that the president’s use of the song contrasts with its lyrics and message.
“Rockin’ in the Free World is a blistering anthem that contrasts the hollow promises of American political rhetoric with the harsh realities faced by the poor, homeless and forgotten,” the complaint says, according to Breitbart. “The lyrics paint vivid street-level portraits – a mother discarding her baby, addicts lost in despair, garbage piling in the shadows of prosperity – while the repeated chorus delivers a savage irony, celebrating freedom that clearly isn’t shared by all. In short, the Song is the opposite of everything that Donald J. Trump stands for.”
“Just prior to Trump taking the stage to speak at the Youngstown Rally, the Committee caused Rockin’ in the Free World to be played. On information and belief, the Committee has caused the Song to be played numerous times at other rallies designed to encourage Republican votes in the upcoming mid-term elections,” it adds.
The complaint also said that the president would know not to play the song at any of his events after a 2020 lawsuit that was brought against Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. “In 2020 Young sued another corporation formed by Trump, Donald J. Trump For President, Inc., for copyright infringement of Rockin’ in the Free World along with another song written by Young,” the document says.
“Donald J. Trump For President, Inc. asserted no defense and immediately settled shortly after it was served, promising that it would never again use Rockin’ in the Free World without a license and permission from Young,” it concludes. Neil Young isn’t the only artist that has had beef with President Trump over the use of music. Pop star Ariana Grande slammed the administration for using her track, “Bye” in a social media post concerning immigration enforcement.
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Sabrina Carpenter also condemned the administration for using her song “Juno” in a video for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, referring to the clip as “evil and disgusting.” Even Celine Dion took issue with the unauthorized use of her music at political events, most notably her extremely popular hit, “My Heart Will Go On” from the Titanic soundtrack.