Neil Young Sues Trump PAC for $10 Million

Musician Neil Young filed a $10 million copyright infringement lawsuit in Virginia against the Trump 47 Committee Inc., a political action committee backing Donald Trump. The suit alleges the committee played Young's song "Rockin' in the Free World" without permission at a political rally in Youngstown, Ohio, on October 12, as well as at other events intended to encourage Republican votes in upcoming midterm elections.

Young seeks financial damages, coverage of legal costs, and a permanent injunction to prevent the committee from using any of his musical compositions. The complaint argues that the unauthorized use of the track implies Young supports Donald Trump, which damages the musician's reputation and brand. Young describes the song as a "blistering anthem" that is "the opposite of everything that Donald J. Trump stands for."

This legal action follows a 2020 settlement in which a Trump-backed entity promised to stop using Young's music without permission. The current lawsuit alleges the committee willfully ignored licensing requirements despite prior knowledge that a license was required and that Young would not grant one.