Neil Young has lodged a federal lawsuit against the Trump 47 Committee, the fundraising arm of President Donald Trump’s re‑election drive, alleging that the committee played his 1989 hit “Rockin’ in the Free World” at a rally in Youngstown, Ohio, on 12 October without a licence.
The 80‑year‑old Canadian‑American star says the use of the track constitutes an “unauthorised public performance” and that the committee was aware a licence was required. The lawsuit, filed in a U.S. federal court, seeks $10 million in damages.
Young previously sued Trump’s 2020 re‑election campaign over the same song and “Devil’s Sidewalk”. The parties reportedly settled shortly after that suit was filed, with the campaign agreeing never to use the songs again without permission.
In the new filing, Young’s company Silver Fiddle Music claims the song was played at the Ohio rally without a licence or his consent. He characterises the track as “a blistering anthem that contrasts the hollow promises of American political rhetoric with the harsh realities faced by the poor, homeless and forgotten.”
Music used at campaign rallies in the United States generally requires a public performance licence, even if a campaign owns a copy of the recording. The lawsuit notes that, under U.S. copyright law, permission must be obtained from the musical‑work copyright holders or a performing‑rights organisation.
The White House has referred the BBC to the Republican National Committee for comment. The committee has yet to respond publicly to the lawsuit.
Young’s legal action follows a pattern of artists such as The Rolling Stones, Rihanna, Adele, REM and the estate of Prince publicly criticising Trump for using their music at campaign events without proper clearance.
As the case proceeds, observers will watch whether the lawsuit forces the Trump campaign to re‑examine its music‑licensing practices for future rallies.
