Neil Young clashes with Donald Trump again over the use of his music during political rallies. The Canadian-American singer-songwriter has filed a $10 million lawsuit against the "Trump 47 Committee," a fundraising committee supporting the American president, accusing it of unauthorized use of the famous song "Rockin' in the Free World," released in 1989.
According to the BBC, the song was played on October 12 during an election event in Ohio, shortly before Trump's appearance on stage. For the musician's lawyers, this constitutes an unauthorized public performance and thus a copyright infringement.
Link to Neil Young vs. Trump: The AccusationsNeil Young vs. Trump: The Accusations
In the complaint filed in federal court, Young claims that Trump was aware of the need to obtain a license to use the song during political events.
The artist states he never gave his consent and clarifies that he would not have authorized the use of the song. According to the legal document, "Rockin' in the Free World" was also played multiple times at other rallies.
The compensation claim amounts to $10 million. It will be up to the court to determine if copyright laws were indeed violated.
Link to A Song with Strong Political MeaningA Song with Strong Political Meaning
The controversy also involves the song's message. "Rockin' in the Free World" is one of Neil Young's most well-known songs and contains a critique of the contradictions in American society, particularly focusing on the conditions of the poorest and most marginalized people.
The musician, now eighty, considers the song's meaning incompatible with Trump's political positions, against which he has publicly opposed on numerous occasions.
According to Young, the song represents the exact opposite of the values embodied by the U.S. president. Its use during events organized in support of Trump would therefore also have a political significance contrary to the author's intentions.
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