Neil Young sues Trump political committee over rally use of song
publishers 20articles 20first reported 27 Oct, 01:15 UTCdeveloping since 27 Oct · 5 editions
Neil Young filed a $10 million lawsuit Monday against President Donald Trump’s political action committee, alleging it used “Rockin’ in the Free World” at campaign rallies without permission and in violation of an earlier settlement.
The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, says the Trump 47 Committee played the song before Trump appeared at an Oct. 12 rally in Youngstown, Ohio. It alleges the committee has also played it at other rallies intended to encourage support for Republican candidates in the midterm elections.
Young first sued a Trump campaign organization over its use of the song in 2020. According to the new complaint, that case ended with a settlement under which the organization promised not to use the song again without Young’s permission and a license.
The musician argues that the unauthorized performances falsely imply his support for Trump and have damaged his reputation and brand. Young, a longtime Trump critic, describes the 1989 song as an indictment of political rhetoric that ignores poverty, homelessness and addiction.
Young is seeking $10 million in damages and a court order barring the committee from publicly performing any of his songs. The Trump 47 Committee and the Trump administration had not responded publicly to the lawsuit, according to reports from Courthouse News and The Guardian.
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