Neil Young Sues Trump For $10M Over Using “Rockin’ In The Free World” Again

Almost no one expects Donald Trump to keep his word, but unlike most, Neil Young ain’t taking any crap from the former Apprentice host.

Having repeatedly told Trump to keep his MAGA mitts off his classic Rockin’ in the Free World song, the 80-year-old Grandfather of Grunge took the poll struggling POTUS back to court today with new $10 million copyright infringement suit.

And, as Young always does on the guitar, the two time Rock & Roll Hall of Famer let Trump have it.

“Rockin’ in the Free World is a blistering anthem that contrasts the hollow promises of American political rhetoric with the harsh realities faced by the poor, homeless and forgotten,” the short but sharp complaint says. “The lyrics paint vivid street-level portraits – a mother discarding her baby, addicts lost in despair, garbage piling in the shadows of prosperity – while the repeated chorus delivers a savage irony, celebrating freedom that clearly isn’t shared by all. In short, the Song is the opposite of everything that Donald J. Trump stands for.”

Trump first used the 1991 hit back at the very start of his first serious (semi-serious?) White House run in 2015. Young told him to back off then and told Trump to back off again in 2020 with legal action. As Young’s critiques of Trump got louder and louder in song and from the stage, it seemed the 45th and now 47th President, or at least his attorneys, got it — until October 12. in Youngstown, Ohio.

The the five-page filing in federal court in Virginia states: “Just prior to Donald J. Trump taking the stage to speak at the Youngstown Rally, the Committee caused Rockin’ in the Free World to be played. On information and belief, the Committee has caused the Song to be played numerous times at other rallies designed to encourage Republican votes in the upcoming mid-term elections.”

As today made clear, you don’t mess with old Neil and you don’t break your word to him.

“Donald J. Trump (‘Trump’) is now and at the time of all rallies this year was personally aware that a license would be required to play the Song at rallies and that Young has not, and would not, grant the required license,” proclaims the complaint.

“In 2020 Young sued another corporation formed by Trump, Donald J. Trump For President, Inc., for copyright infringement of Rockin’ in the Free World along with another song written by Young,” the document by lawyers Scott Simmons and Robert Besser against Trump 47 Committee Inc. adds. “Donald J Trump For President, Inc. asserted no defense and immediately settled shortly after it was served, promising that it would never again use Rockin’ in the Free World without a license and permission from Young.”

The White House did not respond to Deadline’s request for comment on the complaint. But, with 80-year old Trump posting fast and furiously for struggling GOP candidates, don’t be surprised if the octogenarian barbs starting flying like Tomahawk missiles soon-ish.

On the other hand, the Neil Young, or at least his lawyers couldn’t resist a bit of wit, or at least a legalese laugh at Trump’s expense — and maybe even their own. “Young has suffered damage to his reputation and brand as a result of the implication that he supports Donald J. Trump in any way,” the filing says in a statement that literally no one anywhere would ever think. Keep on rockin’ that in the free world.

Here’s Neil at last month’s Farm Aid show in the Commonwealth of Virginia showing everyone how it’s done: