Neil Young Readies Lawsuit Against Trump Campaign
By Scott Bernstein Aug 4, 2020 • 10:23 am PDT

Photo by dhlovelife
Neil Young has published a six-page complaint against President Donald Trump’s campign for re-election on his Neil Young Archives website. Young has threatened the Trump campaign with a lawsuit over their use of his songs “Rockin’ In The Free World” and “Devil’s Sidewalk” at rallies. As noted by Rolling Stone, it’s unclear whether the lawsuit has been filed.
“This complaint is not intended to disrespect the rights and opinions of American citizens, who are free to support the candidate of their choosing. However, Plaintiff in good conscience cannot allow his music to be used as a ‘theme song’ for a divisive, un-American campaign of ignore and hate,” is the first allegation in the complaint from Young.
Last month, Neil wrote an open letter to President Trump in Young’s continued efforts to get the campaign to stop playing his music at their events. Young asked Trump to listen to “Looking For A Leader 2020,” a song that takes aim at the President which Neil first played during a Fireside Sessions video.
Advertisement
Young’s complaint alleges “causes of action for copyright infringement based on Defendant’s public performance of Plantiff’s copyrighted musical compositions.” The complaint points out the use of both “Rockin’ In The Free World” and “Devil’s Sidewalk” at numerous political events and specifically notes, “The Campaign played both Songs at a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma on June 20, 2020.”
The scuffle dates back to June 16, 2015, when “Rockin’ In The Free World” was played during an event in which Trump announced he was running for president. Neil Young wants the campaign permanently banned from playing any of his music at public events, to pay statutory damages “that is not more than $15,000 nore less than $750 for each infringement” and for the campaign to cover the artist’s costs for the lawsuit.
Head here to read the full text of the complaint. Neither Young’s representatives or representatives for the Trump Campaign responded to Rolling Stone’s requests for comments as of press time.