Neil Young is suing Donald Trump’s re-election campaign for repeatedly using his music without his permission. The rock star says the US president breached copyright laws by playing his songs at political rallies and events.
The Canadian has objected to the use of Rockin’ in the Free World and Devil’s Sidewalk for what he called an un-American campaign of ignorance and hate. Young said he hadcomplained about Mr Trump’s use of his music since 2015, but had been wilfully ignored. The singer, who is now officially a US citizen after having lived in the country for decades, is seeking damages of up to $150,000 (£114,400) per infringement.
These include at a Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in June, and the US president’s visit to Mount Rushmore in July. “This complaint is not intended to disrespect the rights and opinions of American citizens, who are free to support the candidate of their choosing,” Neil Young’s lawyers wrote in the filing, which was posted on the performer’s website. “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.”
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