Neil Young Sues Trump PAC for $10 Million Over Song Despite 2020 Settlement

Neil Young has filed a $10 million copyright infringement lawsuit against President Donald Trump's political committee, accusing it of playing "Rockin' in the Free World" at campaign rallies six years after his previous legal action over the same song ended in a settlement.

The complaint, filed Monday, October 26, 2026, in Virginia federal court, alleges that Trump 47 Committee Inc. used the 1989 song without permission as Trump took the stage at an October 12 rally in Youngstown, Ohio. Young claims the song was also played at other events promoting Republican candidates ahead of the midterm elections.

Young previously sued Trump's 2020 presidential campaign over unauthorized performances of "Rockin' in the Free World" and another of his songs, "Devil's Sidewalk." That case was dismissed with prejudice in December 2020 following a settlement that, according to the new complaint, included a promise that the campaign would never again use "Rockin' in the Free World" without a license and Young's approval.

The latest lawsuit names a different political organization, Trump 47 Committee Inc., but Young's attorneys argue that the earlier dispute established clear notice of his objections. They allege that the committee knowingly used the song despite his longstanding refusal to authorize its use at Trump's events.

Political campaigns can obtain public performance licenses allowing them to play copyrighted music at rallies, although certain licensing arrangements permit artists and copyright holders to exclude their songs from political uses. Young's complaint alleges that the committee had no valid authorization to perform his composition.

His attorneys also argue that playing the song at Trump's events falsely suggests Young supports the president and damages his reputation. The filing describes "Rockin' in the Free World" as a criticism of political promises that overlook poverty, homelessness and social hardship, with its familiar chorus intended as irony rather than an endorsement of American political leadership.

The complaint goes further, declaring that the song represents "the opposite of everything that Donald J. Trump stands for." Young's lawyers contend that the unauthorized performances associate the musician and his work with political positions he has publicly rejected.

Young is seeking $10 million in damages, along with attorney's fees and court costs. He also asks for preliminary and permanent injunctions barring the committee from further unauthorized performances of "Rockin' in the Free World" and other compositions he owns.

The latest action follows years of disputes between Trump's political organizations and musicians who object to their work being used at campaign events. The White Stripes sued in 2024 over the use of "Seven Nation Army," while the estate of soul singer Isaac Hayes brought a separate copyright lawsuit involving "Hold On, I'm Coming." The White Stripes later dismissed their action, and the Hayes estate reached a settlement earlier this year.

Young's case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Robert E. Payne in the Eastern District of Virginia. His request for an injunction would allow the court to consider restrictions on future performances while the copyright claims proceed.