Photo Credit: Neil Young by Billy Shiverstick / Public Domain
If you thought Neil Young had already sued Trump over the use of his music during campaign rallies, you would be correct. The latest is actually Young’s second time filing suit against Trump over the allegedly unauthorized use of “Rockin’ in the Free World.” The first took place in 2020 and was settled in December that year. However, Trump has continued to play the song in violation of the terms of that settlement, according to Young’s new filing.
The lawsuit, filed in the District Court of the Eastern District of Virginia, claims that the 1989 track is “a blistering anthem that contrasts the hollow promises of American political rhetoric with the harsh realities faced by the poor, homeless, and forgotten. In short, the song is the opposite of everything Donald J. Trump stands for.”
“Among other things, Young has suffered damage to his reputation and brand as a result of the implication that he supports Donald J. Trump in any way,” the filing asserts. It seeks an injunction against further public performance for political purposes as well as $10 million in damages for existing use and violation of the terms of their previous settlement.
It will be intriguing to see how this one plays out, given that performance rights for music played at major venues are typically acquired via a blanket license issued to the venue itself, not those holding the event. Therefore, Trump himself may not actually need explicit permission from the likes of Young to play his music at political rallies. However, if Trump’s ongoing use of the song violates the terms of their prior agreement, it could give Young an advantage over the president in this case—assuming he doesn’t opt to settle.
