Neil Young has filed a $10 million damages lawsuit against Trump 47 Committee Inc., the political organization that supports former U.S. President Donald Trump. The suit was filed on October 26, 2026, in a federal court in Virginia. The complaint alleges that the 80‑year‑old Canadian singer’s 1989 hit “Rockin’ in the Free World” was played without permission at a Trump campaign event on October 12 in Youngstown, Ohio. Young’s attorneys say the song was broadcast publicly at the event and that the Trump team was aware that a license was required for such use. The lawsuit also claims that the song was used at other Republican‑aligned campaign events, violating a prior settlement reached in 2020. In that earlier case, Young sued a different Trump‑affiliated organization over the unauthorized use of “Rockin’ in the Free World” and another of his songs. The parties settled, and the agreement included a provision that the Trump organization would not use Young’s music without permission in the future. According to the new complaint, the recent use of the song breaches that agreement. Young, who has long criticized Trump, argues that the song’s anti‑establishment lyrics—highlighting the gap between political promises and the realities of poverty and homelessness—are at odds with Trump’s political positions. He contends that the song’s use in campaign settings could create a false impression that he endorses the candidate, thereby harming his reputation and professional standing. The lawsuit seeks not only monetary damages but also an injunction preventing further political use of the song. Donald Trump himself is not named as a defendant in the filing. The Trump 47 Committee, the White House, and the Republican National Committee have not yet issued a public response to the lawsuit. The case follows a broader trend of artists pursuing legal action over the unauthorized political use of their music.
Article source: Magyar Hirlap | Image credit: Magyar Hirlap