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Neil Young files $10M copyright suit against Trump campaign, citing broken settlement

Lawsuit alleges Trump 47 Committee played 'Rockin' in the Free World' at Ohio rally without permission, violating 2020 promise

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published27 October 2026

Updated27 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources2 outlets

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Neil Young has filed a $10 million copyright infringement lawsuit against President Donald Trump's campaign committee, alleging it played his song 'Rockin' in the Free World' at an Oct. 12 rally in Youngstown, Ohio, and at other rallies without a license, despite a 2020 settlement in which the campaign pledged not to use the song without permission. The suit was filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Richmond, Virginia.

The lawsuit, obtained by CNBC, names the Trump 47 Committee and five unidentified Doe defendants as allegedly liable for the infringement. It states that Trump 'was personally aware that a license would be required to play the Song at rallies' and that Young 'has not, and would not, grant the required license.'

Young, 80, previously sued a Trump campaign corporation in Manhattan federal court in 2020 over the same song and another track, 'Devil's Sidewalk.' In that case, according to the new suit, Trump's corporation 'asserted no defense and immediately settled shortly after it was served, promising that it would never again use 'Rockin' in the Free World' without a license and permission from Young.'

The suit describes 'Rockin' in the Free World' as a 'blistering anthem that contrasts the hollow promises of American political rhetoric with the harsh realities faced by the poor, homeless and forgotten.' It notes that the song is 'the opposite of everything that Donald J. Trump stands for.'

CNBC has requested comment from the Trump 47 Committee and Young's lawyers. The White House referred the outlet to the Republican National Committee, which did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

The Oct. 12 rally in Youngstown also drew attention for an incident in which several attendees reportedly attacked a woman who had shouted at Trump, according to videos from the event. The Mahoning County sheriff's office is investigating three individuals in connection with the beating.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

Highlights ongoing tension between artists and political campaigns over unauthorized use of music, especially when a previous settlement has been breached.
Raises legal questions about the enforceability of settlement agreements and the potential for increased damages for repeat infringement.
Could set a precedent for how campaigns handle licensing for rally music, potentially leading to stricter compliance.

Background

Neil Young, a two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and naturalized U.S. citizen, has long opposed the use of his music at political events. In 2020, he sued a Trump campaign entity over the same song, which settled quickly with a promise not to use it again. The new lawsuit alleges that promise was broken when the Trump 47 Committee played 'Rockin' in the Free World' at a rally on Oct. 12, 2026, and at other rallies.

Key Perspectives

What to Watch

Whether the Trump campaign issues a response or attempts to reach a settlement.
Court proceedings on the copyright infringement claim and any potential counters.
Impact on other artists' decisions to pursue legal action over unauthorized use of their music at political rallies.

Sources

Neil Young sues Trump over use of his song during rally · Washington Examiner
Neil Young sues Trump committee for $10M for playing 'Rockin' in the Free World' at rally · CNBC

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 9 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedNeil Young filed a $10 million copyright infringement suit against the Trump campaign committee.US Top News and Analysis: “Legendary musician Neil Young filed a $10 million lawsuit against President Donald Trump's campaign committee for infringing Young's copyright”
Partly supportedThe suit cites a broken settlement in which the campaign had promised not to use the song without permission.US Top News and Analysis: “In that first case, Trump's corporation 'asserted no defense and immediately settled shortly after it was served, promising that it would never again use 'Rockin' in the Free World' without a license and permission from Young,' the new suit said.”
SupportedThe lawsuit alleges the song was played without permission at the Oct. 12 rally in Youngstown.US Top News and Analysis: “Legendary musician Neil Young filed a $10 million lawsuit against President Donald Trump's campaign committee for infringing Young's copyright by playing Young's song 'Rockin' in the Free World' just before the president took the stage to speak at an Oct. 12 rally in Youngstown, Ohio.”
SupportedThe suit was filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Richmond, Virginia.US Top News and Analysis: “Young's lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Richmond, Virginia, alleges. Trump 'was personally aware that a license would be required to play the Song at rallies,' and that Young 'has not, and would not, grant the required license,' the suit filed Monday says.”
Not in the sourcesCNBC obtained the lawsuit.US Top News and Analysis: “Young's lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Richmond, Virginia, alleges.”
SupportedThe suit states that Trump “was personally aware that a license would be required to play the Song at rallies.”US Top News and Analysis: “Trump 'was personally aware that a license would be required to play the Song at rallies,' and that Young 'has not, and would not, grant the required license,' the suit filed Monday says.”
SupportedThe suit states that Young “has not, and would not, grant the required license.”US Top News and Analysis: “Trump 'was personally aware that a license would be required to play the Song at rallies,' and that Young 'has not, and would not, grant the required license,' the suit filed Monday says.”
SupportedIn the 2020 case, Trump's corporation asserted no defense and settled shortly after being served, promising not to use the song again without a license and Young's permission.US Top News and Analysis: “In that first case, Trump's corporation 'asserted no defense and immediately settled shortly after it was served, promising that it would never again use 'Rockin' in the Free World' without a license and permission from Young,' the new suit said.”
SupportedThe suit describes the song as a “blistering anthem that contrasts the hollow promises of American political rhetoric with the harsh realities faced by the poor, homeless and forgotten.”US Top News and Analysis: “His lawsuit describes the tune as a "blistering anthem that contrasts the hollow promises of American political rhetoric with the harsh realities faced by the poor, homeless and forgotten."”
SupportedThe suit says the song is “the opposite of everything that Donald J. Trump stands for.”US Top News and Analysis: “"In short, the Song is the opposite of everything that Donald J. Trump stands for," the suit says.”
SupportedThe lawsuit names the Trump 47 Committee and five unidentified Doe defendants as allegedly liable.US Top News and Analysis: “In addition to the Trump 47 Committee, the suit lists five other defendants, identified by the pseudonym "Doe," whom Young believes are liable for infringing on Young's copyright.”
Partly supportedThe Mahoning County sheriff's office is investigating three individuals in connection with the beating.US Top News and Analysis: “Mahoning County, Ohio, Sheriff Jerry Greene reportedly is investigating three individuals in connection with the incident.”