Neil Young has initiated a $10 million lawsuit against Donald J. Trump’s political action committee, Trump 47 Committee Inc., citing copyright infringement for the unauthorized use of his song "Rockin’ in the Free World." This legal action, filed on a Monday, comes six years after a prior settlement regarding the same song, which had stipulated that Young's music could not be played without proper licensing at Trump’s events.

The lawsuit alleges that Trump’s political operation has continued to use the song as walkup music at midterm election rallies, despite the existence of a previous agreement that prohibits such use without a license. Young's legal team argues that this ongoing infringement not only violates their earlier settlement but also undermines the integrity of his artistic work.S2

This case highlights the ongoing tension between artists and political figures over the use of music in campaigns, particularly when the artist does not endorse the political message being conveyed. Young's action against Trump is part of a broader trend where musicians are increasingly vocal about how their work is utilized in political contexts, often leading to legal disputes over copyright and licensing rights.S1S2