Neil Young says Donald Trump 'not authorized' to use Rockin' in the Free World
Rep for the U.S. tycoon says he paid to use the song in his U.S. presidential campaign kickoff
Neil Young wants Donald Trump to stop rocking out to one of his classic songs as part of the U.S. tycoon'sbid for the Republican nomination.
The New Yorkreal estate mogul pumped Young's Rockin' in the Free World throughManhattan'sTrump Tower as helaunched his bid for the U.S presidencyonTuesday.
But Young, an outspoken environmental activist,says the businessman doesn't have permission to use the song.
"Donald Trump was not authorized to use Rockin' in the Free Worldin his presidential candidacy announcement," said an official statement from Young's representative, via Mother Jones.
"Neil Young, a Canadian citizen, is a supporter of Bernie Sanders for president of the United States of America."
Sanders is aVermont Independentrunning for the Democratic nomination.
Trump's a 'huge' Young fan
DespiteYoung's insistence, aspokesperson for the Trump campaign says the candidatesecured alicence agreement withtheAmerican Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, orASCAP.
"Mr. Trump's campaign paid for and obtained the legal right to use Neil Young's recording of Rockin' in the Free World," the spokesperson told Rolling Stone magazine.
"Mr. Trump is a huge fan of Neil Young and his music and will continue to be regardless of Neil's political views."
However, ASCAPrulesare different for political campaigns, and politicians are urged to ask for the artist's permission.
It would appear that Trump failed to secureYoung's approval.
Despite Trump's taste for the Canadian rocker's songs, Rockin' in the Free Worldis anan odd choice for the billionaire businessman and reality TVcapitalist.
It's believed that Young wrote the 1989anthem as an indictment of the politics of U.S.President Ronald Reaganand the widespreadconsumerism of American culture.
With files from The Associated Press
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