Legendary musician Neil Young has filed a $10 million lawsuit against President Donald Trump's campaign committee, alleging copyright infringement after the song "Rockin' in the Free World" was played at a rally in Youngstown, Ohio, on October 12, just before the president took the stage.
The lawsuit filed by Yang in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia alleges that the Trump 47 Committee played the song multiple times at various rallies aimed at encouraging Republicans to vote in the upcoming midterm elections, without the musician’s permission.
The complaint states that Trump "knew personally that permission was required to play this song at the rally," and that Yang "did not and would not grant the required permission." The lawsuit was filed on Monday.
At age 80, Yang sued another company founded by Trump, Donald J. Trump for President Inc., in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in 2020, alleging copyright infringement for playing "Rockin' in the Free World" and another song written by Yang, "Devil's Sidewalk," without permission at campaign rallies.
The new complaint states that in the previous case, Trump's company "raised no defense and immediately settled after being served, agreeing not to use 'Rockin' in the Free World' again without Yang's permission."
CNBC has sought comment from Trump's 47 Committee and Yang's lawyers regarding this case.
When asked for comment, the White House referred CNBC to the Republican National Committee; the latter did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment.
Young was born in Canada and later became a U.S. citizen. He has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice: in 1995 as a solo artist and in 1997 as a member of Buffalo Springfield. Young was also a member of the folk-rock supergroup Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
Yang released "Rockin' in the Free World" in 1989.
The complaint describes the song as an "intense anthem" that contrasts the hollow promises of American political rhetoric with the harsh realities faced by the poor, the homeless, and the forgotten.
The complaint states that the lyrics include themes of a mother abandoning her child and addiction, as well as "garbage piled up in the shadow of prosperity"—while the recurring chorus delivers sharp irony, celebrating a freedom that clearly is not shared by all.
In short, the song is the complete opposite of everything represented by Donald J. Trump, the complaint states.
In addition to the Trump 47 Committee, the lawsuit lists five other defendants, all identified by the pseudonym "Doe," whom Yang believes are also responsible for infringing his copyright.
On October 12, the Trump rally referenced in the lawsuit also involved an incident that drew the attention of local law enforcement. Video from the rally shows several attendees appearing to assault and beat a woman, Blake Miley, who was repeatedly shouting that Trump was a "fascist" and wearing a shirt printed with "Release the Epstein Files."
According to reports, Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene in Ohio is investigating three individuals involved in the incident.