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Neil Young: Donald Trump did not have permission to use iconic song to announce presidential bid

Bandmate David Cosby later tweeted that Trump had picked a fight with the 'wrong guy'

Rose Troup Buchanan

Wednesday 17 June 2015 14:35 BST

Real estate mogul and TV personality Donald Trump announces his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination (Getty Images)

Only hours into the presidential race and already (if unsurprisingly) Donald Trump has landed himself in hot water.

The US tycoon, who announced his intention to run for the Republican presidential nomination yesterday, used Neil Young’s iconic “Rockin’ in the Free World” to introduce himself to the stage.

There’s just one problem. Turns out, Young is not exactly a fan – and has confirmed he never gave permission for his song to be used in the first place.

"Donald Trump was not authorized to use 'Rockin' In The Free World' in his presidential candidacy announcement," an official statement from Young's camp confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter.

Republican presidential nominations

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1/9Republican presidential nominations

Republican presidential nominations

Jeb Bush

Who he is: Brother of former President George W. Bush and son of former President George H. W. Bush, Mr Bush has formed a Political Action Committee and is exploring a presidential bid. He was the governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007. The issues: Mr Bush has indicated that his campaign would focus on the economy, foreign policy and energy. He is also known as a proponent of education reform.

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Republican presidential nominations

Marco Rubio

Who he is: Mr Rubio is a US senator from Florida who has served since 2011. He is an early favourite to receive heavy donations from ultra-rich donors the Koch brothers. The issues: Mr Rubio has said the biggest issue facing the US in the near future is foreign policy and dealing with threats from China, Russia, North Korea and Iran.

AP

Republican presidential nominations

Ben Carson

Who he is: Dr Carson is a retired neurosurgeon, who became one of the most prominent physicians in the US. He has no political experience, but has formed a PAC to consider a run for president. The issues: A big proponent of smaller government, Dr Carson holds a tough stance on illegal immigration and is staunchly opposed to government involvement in health care.

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Republican presidential nominations

Ted Cruz

Who he is: Mr Cruz has served as a US senator from Texas since 2013 and previously was the solicitor general of the state from 2003 to 2008. The issues: Mr Cruz is strongly against illegal immigration and figures to offer a presidential campaign heavy on foreign policy. He supports tough sanctions on both Russia and Iran.

EPA/SHAWN THEW

Republican presidential nominations

Carly Fiorina

Who she is: Ms Fiorina is the former CEO of Hewlett-Packard and a former executive at AT&T. She also was a 2010 nominee from California for the US Senate. The issues: Ms Fiorina, should she run, will campaign as a pro-business candidate whose background as chief executive of a major company proves she can handle the US economy.

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Republican presidential nominations

Mike Huckabee

Who he is: Mr Huckabee was the governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007 and ran for president in 2008. An ordained Baptist minister, he also hosted a talk show on Fox News until early this month. The issues: Mr Huckabee supports tax reform and often touts the FairTax, which would eliminate income and payroll taxes in favour of a uniform sales tax.

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Republican presidential nominations

Rand Paul

Who he is: Mr Paul has served as a US senator from Kentucky since 2011. He is a libertarian and son of former US Rep. Ron Paul of Texas. The issues: Mr Paul supports balanced spending by the government, unlike some of his peers in the Republican Party who oppose most government spending. He has been called an isolationist by some political pundits.

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Republican presidential nominations

Scott Walker - OUT

Who he is: Mr Walker has served as the governor of Wisconsin since 2011 and has long been mentioned as a potential presidential candidate. Mr Walker this week launched a PAC to prepare for a presidential run. The issues: Mr Walker opposes compromise with Democrats on key issues and would encourage increasing the fight against Isis.

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Republican presidential nominations

Rick Perry - OUT

Who he is: Mr Paul has served as a US senator from Kentucky since 2011. He is a libertarian and son of former US Rep. Ron Paul of Texas. The issues: Mr Paul supports balanced spending by the government, unlike some of his peers in the Republican Party who oppose most government spending. He has been called an isolationist by some political pundits.

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It went on to say that Young, 69 and a Canadian citizen, would be supporting Bernie Sanders, who although an independent (he describes himself as a Social Democrat) has announced his intention to run for the Democratic nomination for president.

It also appears as if the song could have been chosen with more care. Released in 1989, the lyrics of “Rockin’ In The free World” criticise Republican president George H. W. Bush’s administration but was later taken up as an anthem celebrating the fall of communism.

On Twitter yesterday David Crosby, former Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young bandmate and friend of Young, confirmed that the singer did not condone the use of his work.

He added that Trump had “picked a fight with the wrong guy …. Bad idea.”

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