$10M: Neil Young's Second Suit Targets Trump Coalition Over 'Rockin' in the Free World'

Neil Young filed a federal lawsuit on Monday seeking $10 million in damages from the Trump 47 Coalition. The complaint alleges that President Donald Trump infringed on Young’s copyright by playing “Rockin’ in the Free World” at a recent political rally without obtaining a license.

Young’s legal team described the 1989 track as a “blistering anthem” that contrasts political rhetoric with the realities faced by the poor. The suit argued that the lyrics offer street-level portraits of hardship, including a mother discarding a baby and addicts in despair. The filing stated that the song’s celebration of freedom is ironic and represents “the opposite of everything that Donald J. Trump stands for.”

This is the second time Young has taken legal action over the specific use of this song by a Trump campaign entity. In 2020, Young sued Donald J. Trump for President after the group played the track at a rally. The new filing notes that the previous legal team asserted no defense. They settled shortly after the suit was served and promised never to use the song without permission again.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the new complaint. Young has been a vocal critic of the administration. He is one of the most prominent figures in the entertainment industry to voice opposition to the president’s policies.

The dispute follows a year of public friction between Trump and musicians. Young, a dual citizen of the United States and Canada, expressed concern last year that he might be barred from returning to the country while on tour in Europe. Trump has also engaged in public disputes with Bruce Springsteen, Jack White, Sabrina Carpenter, and Olivia Rodrigo.

The case is now pending in federal court. Young’s team is asking for $10 million to compensate for the unlicensed use. The coalition has been served with the complaint and must file a response to begin the legal process.