Neil Young Files Lawsuit to Stop Trump From Playing His Songs at Campaign Events
Musician Neil Young is suing President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign to prevent the president from playing his songs at the president’s campaign events. Young filed the lawsuit in U.S. Court for the Southern…
Musician Neil Young is suing President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign to prevent the president from playing his songs at the president’s campaign events.
Young filed the lawsuit in U.S. Court for the Southern District of New York on Tuesday and shared the lawsuit on his website.
“This complaint is not intended to disrespect the rights and opinions of American citizens, who are free to support the candidate of their choosing,” the lawsuit read.
It continued, “However, Plaintiff in good conscience cannot allow his music to be used as a ‘theme song’ for a divisive, un-American campaign of ignorance and hate.”
The lawsuit noted that the Trump campaign has played “Rockin’ in the Free World” and “Devil’s Sidewalk” during its events.
“The Campaign does not now have, and did not at the time of the Tulsa rally, have a license or Plaintiff’s permission to play the two Songs at any public event,” the suit read.
On July 28, Young said he was “reconsidering” filing a lawsuit as IJR reported. In an open letter on his website, he said, “I am changing my mind about suing Donald Trump.”
“I am looking at it again. There is a long history to consider, and I originally considered it, deciding not to pursue,” he continued.
“Imagine what it feels like to hear ‘Rockin’ in the Free World’ after this President speaks, like it is his theme song. I did not write it for that,” he added.