Photo by Bill Kelly
Neil Young has not hidden his opinions on the current President. Earlier this year, Young became a U.S. citizen, and he stated that a big part of his motivation to do so was to be eligible to vote against Donald Trump in 2020. On Feb. 18, he posted “An Open Letter to Donald J Trump” on his Neil Young Archives fansite.
In the letter, Young criticized Trump’s use of his song “Keep on Rockin’ in the Free World” during rallies.
“‘Keep on Rockin’ in the Free World’ is not a song you can trot out at one of your rallies,” Young wrote. “Every time “Keep on Rockin’ in the Free World” or one of my songs is played at your rallies, I hope you hear my voice,” he continued. “Remember it is the voice of a tax-paying U.S. citizen who does not support you. Me.”
Young also levied more broad criticisms at President Trump. “You are a disgrace to my country,” the letter began.
The musician later added, “Your mindless destruction of our shared natural resources, our environment and our relationships with friends around the world is unforgivable.”
In addition, toward the end of the letter, Young put forth an apparent endorsement for Senator Bernie Sanders. “One of your opponents has the answers I like,” Young wrote. “His initials are BS. Not his policies.”
Separately, Young also made it clear in a different post on the website that he does not plan on touring again any time soon, instead focusing on “taking care of [his] music.”
Read Young’s full open letter to Trump here.
47 Comments comments associated with this post
Rational Dude
February 23, 2020 at 1:45 pmIf you care what Neil Young thinks about politics, you need to re-calibrate.
PS – Bernie Sanders is a lifelong bum who never had a steady job until he was in his 40s. He spent half his life poor and whining about successful people who worked hard and made money. When he wasn;t beating that drum, he was telling any moron who would listen how great the governments of Cuba, Venezuela and the USSR were.
Ever wonder why the media has never gone in on a full vetting of Bernie’s past???
My Fellow Prisoners
February 21, 2020 at 11:09 amLol at Neil’s “negative BS.” Facepalm.
Fretsman
February 20, 2020 at 7:48 pmI don’t care what Neil has to say, He should save his negative BS for black face Justin Trudeau. I lost respect for dopey, Such a shame, American farrmers were a great cause, being anti-Trump is a lost cause.
My Fellow Prisoners
February 21, 2020 at 11:03 amBeing anti Trump is being a thoughtful human being, with dignity, respect for others, respect for democracy, respect for law, devotion to truth and reason, and compassion. It is EVERYTHING worth living for.
My Fellow Prisoners
February 20, 2020 at 6:35 pmIt’s so tempting to write them off as Russian bits, bc it’s hard to believe any intelligent human being could possibly support the criminal Trump. But, alas, our country is full of monkey brained human beings. Sad!
My Fellow Prisoners
February 20, 2020 at 6:30 pmIts hilarious that the idiot Trump lovers spend their time trolling comment sections of jam band websites. Very effective and efficient use of your time, I’m sure. I would expect nothing less from these block heads.
Cathy Rand
February 20, 2020 at 2:13 pmGo back to Canada
And Your socialist attitude we
love Trump he’s is the best thing to happen to this country
We don’t want you voting
You make a of money to play music
focus on that and stay out of politics
namesake
February 20, 2020 at 2:49 pmAyn? Ayn Rand? is that you? You aren’t for free speech? and the right to vote? If you made music, we would allow you to voice your opinion on any subject you like. Freedom is OK! dig it
me
February 20, 2020 at 3:49 pmYes, Cathy… and Harvey Weinstein is the best thing to happen to the movie industry. So, take your own advice and please go back to the country you originated from because as someone who wants to prohibit US citizens from voting, you are not welcome in OUR country!
Frank Rizzo
February 20, 2020 at 3:59 pmIf Trump is the best thing that happened to this country then why the fuck does everything keep going up in price including concert tickets but not my paycheck?? Seems like millions of other Americans are having this same problem too.
Call me Boomer
February 20, 2020 at 4:50 pmLOL. You win. That is the most pathetic comment of the day. Maybe you need to work harder, get more training, or switch jobs to make more cash and then you can keep up with skyrocketing price of concert tickets. There are jobs everywhere right now for those that want to work.
Frank Rizzo
February 20, 2020 at 9:25 pmThanks for the kudos Boomer!! When do I receive my gold medal? Yep, plenty of jobs that don’t pay dog dick anymore. I’m a pornstar Boomer, I make so much money and I still can’t pay my bills.
Dan Morris
February 20, 2020 at 5:17 pmNeil has lived in the US for more than 50 years and I would bet he has paid a lot more income tax than the current resident of the White House ever has so he has every right to speak his mind. Keep speaking the truth and trying to educate people Neil. Your new country needs you.
Uncle Sam
February 20, 2020 at 1:36 pmNeil and his sheeple hoping for more government to magically solve their problems. Wake up. Less government is more power to the people. Not sure when/why some hippies have forgotten that and now cry for an 80 year old communist to tuck them in at night.
yello
February 20, 2020 at 2:38 pmWhich people, Sam? Corporations run this joint.
Uncle Sam
February 20, 2020 at 3:00 pmCorporations are made up of people like you and me who have incentive to achieve and innovate.
D of KC
February 20, 2020 at 12:57 pmAnother multi millionaire HYPOCRITE in Niel, whine on! Enjoy your ride in America as you push the liberal LIE! Saw this man live serveral times, defines the term SLOPPY GARAGE BAND! No thanks….
yez
February 20, 2020 at 2:43 pmyo, D! No thanks? but you saw him live several times. You didn’t know whether you liked his garage rock or not after 1 or 2 times? that’s odd…
Douglas Buzby
February 24, 2020 at 3:10 pm“I before E except after C” does not apply to proper names. Nice try though. At least you remembered a rule. His name is “Neil” Young, not Niel…
My Fellow Prisoners
February 20, 2020 at 12:31 pmA US Citizen is a US citizen is a US citizen. One vote each. Not aware of any sliding scale vote powers based on length if time as a citizen, Richard white. Note: why is someone with your views reading Relix?
Commie tears
February 20, 2020 at 8:25 amShut up Niel and go back to Canada!
America does not want socialism. You can call it democratic socialism but the end result is always communism and death for citizens. Sanders honeymooned in the USSR and touted a brutal dictàtor in Venezuela. Don’t be fooled by the kind old man he is a COMMIE!
John White
February 20, 2020 at 11:02 amWhy are you on this site, troll?
Commie tears
February 20, 2020 at 2:06 pmWhat do I have to be a liberal because I like jam music?
yhea
February 20, 2020 at 2:35 pmCommie?, really? no, you don’t have to be “a liberal”, nor could you be. In fact, there is no such thing. Liberal is an adjective, not a noun. Conservative is an adjective, not a noun. Labels are for people without thought.
me
February 20, 2020 at 3:41 pm@commie tears… No, you don’t but you should at least stay on topic and be knowledgeable about what you speak of. Start by looking into what Neil would like to have happen, rather than ranting about your stance on socialism. Nowhere does he mention socialism and though he does mention Bernie, he does so on the basis of what he would like to see change. Are you able to follow the bouncing ball?
Paddy Valengtine
February 20, 2020 at 1:31 pmPlease return your SS checks and stop driving on the Eisenhower Interstate Roadway system. Thank you and come again.
Jon Klippel
February 19, 2020 at 10:20 pmPoor Neil, He seems to believe the government should run things. I love Neil’s music. I have attended many NY concerts. I don’t agree that we should turn over the car keys to run our lives to the federal government. They have screwed up way too many endeavors.
Johnny America
February 20, 2020 at 6:43 amStraw man argument. Young is not advocating that we “let the government run things” any more than they are right now. Right now a relative handful of billionaires and corporations run things, using the government’s power as they see fit. Having more democracy and more say about how our government operates gives us more power, not less.
The Pie
February 20, 2020 at 2:11 pmNo,I don’t think Neil Young has said that once.
Henry Yarbo
February 20, 2020 at 2:47 pmJon K – corporations don’t have a stellar record on “running things” either. Let teamwork prevail – it is possible.
Eric
February 19, 2020 at 9:55 pmI am a U.S. citizen and I care what Neil Young says as well as the issues that he discusses.
phuckdat
February 19, 2020 at 9:52 pmI hope Neil Young can remember
Southern man don’t need him around anyhow
Johnny America
February 20, 2020 at 6:45 amSouthern Man DOES need Neil… way more than they need more talk radio and youtube propaganda.
me
February 20, 2020 at 3:19 pmYeah, sung by Lynyrd Skynyrd… you know, good friends of Neil who were busting his chops… but don’t let facts stand in your way! Neil Young is a Street Survivor…
peachhead
February 19, 2020 at 4:02 pmNeil Young is still pretty popular, I think a lot of people care what he thinks and listen to what he says. You don’t have to agree with his opinion to recognize that
Richard White
February 19, 2020 at 3:56 pmYour country neil you just became a citizen nobody cares what you think your a hypocrite
Kevin Welby
February 19, 2020 at 4:05 pmI care and I’m betting that MILLIONS more true Americans care about our environment and all the people on this earth
Greg
February 23, 2020 at 4:54 pmI just farted. I named it Neil.
Raymond Loudin
February 19, 2020 at 4:33 pmHypocrite? Explain please.
KB
February 19, 2020 at 5:22 pmI am an American citizen and I definitely care what Neil thinks.
me
February 19, 2020 at 5:55 pmI’m an American citizen and I care both about what Neil has to say and the topics he’s discussing. And though he just became a citizen, I’d bet he understands the difference between “your” and “you’re”. I find it ironic that most of those who bitch about immigrants can barely string together a sentence of their own language, and likely wouldn’t be able to pass their own country’s immigration test! However, most have figured out they have freedom of speech, just not that it applies to all citizens… with no concern for just how long they have been one!!
Douglas Buzby
February 24, 2020 at 3:03 pmWell said sir!
JT
February 20, 2020 at 1:07 pmHey Richard. NY is the opposite of hypocritical. He says exactly what he thinks and believes. And you are just a Dick.
The Pie
February 20, 2020 at 2:08 pmI care,alot!! Neil’s voice will be heard long after the disgrace in the Oval office is a rotting turd in the ground.
Douglas Buzby
February 24, 2020 at 3:01 pmThe writing, if we can call it that, that you used to express yourself tells me all I need to know about your character and whether to give a shit about your opinion. The conclusion is no.
No, I do not care about your opinion.
Casey
February 19, 2020 at 3:32 pmJust FYI the link to his letter doesn’t work! Not sure if it was taken down from his site or there is a typo on the link?
bobG
February 19, 2020 at 3:50 pmWorked for me. Maybe they fixed it…or you have to be an NYArchives member to see it.
bobG