In a bold and pointed statement published on his official website on May 20, 2025, Neil Young, the iconic Canadian-American singer-songwriter, delivered a forceful message to Donald Trump: quit obsessing over the criticism of artists and address the damage wrought under your watch.
Young framed his message around his solidarity with fellow musicians, notably Bruce Springsteen, whom Trump had publicly attacked. Springsteen had characterized the Trump administration as “corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous” during a concert in Manchester—sparking sharp backlash from the former president via Truth Social. Responding to this, Young wrote, “Bruce and thousands of musicians think you are ruining America. You worry about that instead of the dyin’ kids in Gaza. That’s your problem” .
Unrestrained in his critique, Young continued: “I am not scared of you. Neither are the rest of us. You shut down FEMA when we needed it most. That’s your problem Trump. STOP THINKING ABOUT WHAT ROCKERS ARE SAYING” . His message was unmistakable: the president—or ex-president—shouldn’t waste time feuding with artists; rather, tackle substantive issues facing the nation.
Young also referenced Taylor Swift, observing, “Taylor Swift is right. So is Bruce.” He stressed the responsibility of the president when he wrote: “You work for us. Wake up Republicans! This guy is out of control. We need a real president” . The phrase “86/47,” embedded in the post, alludes to cryptic political slang that young used to underscore the gravity of U.S. leadership responsibilities .
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Why This Matters
1. A Broader Narrative:
This isn’t Young’s first confrontation with Trump. He previously sued Trump in 2020 over unauthorized use of his song “Rockin’ in the Free World” at campaign events, and authored a scathing open letter calling Trump “a disgrace to my country” . More recently, Young publicly worried that his vocal criticism could result in retaliation—remarking on his site that after touring Europe, he “may be… barred or put in jail” upon re-entry to the U.S. . His concerns reflect growing unease about potential suppression of dissent in U.S. immigration and border practices.
2. Artists as Cultural Conscience:
Young’s comments reflect a broader trend: musicians and artists seeing themselves as moral and cultural barometers. In solidarity with Springsteen—and with a growing number of artists resisting being weaponized for political imagery or propaganda—Young’s remarks highlight a collective pushback. His assertion that Trump should worry less about televised culture wars and more about policy or humanitarian crises puts the onus back on leadership, not entertainers.
3. Democracy in the Spotlight:
By framing his response with direct references to FEMA, the Gaza crisis, and civic responsibility, Young is underscoring the urgency of leadership grounded in empathy and effectiveness—not spectacle. His final rallying cry—“You work for us”—is a reminder of the democratic contract between the people and those in power.
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Neil Young’s message stands as a ringing call for accountability, a rejection of performative politics, and a reaffirmation of artists’ role in challenging leadership—not out of ego, but as defenders of conscience.