Donald Trump managed to ruffle a few feathers before he even finished announcing his candidacy for president of the United States on Tuesday. By using the song Rockin’ In The Free World as he took the stage at Trump Tower to make his formal announcement, he sparked the ire of its creator, Neil Young. The musician’s team put out an official statement on his behalf, stating that Trump was “not authorized” to use the song. The statement further added that “Neil Young, a Canadian citizen, is a supporter of Bernie Sanders for President of the United States of America.”
Young’s song seems an odd choice for Trump in the first place, given that Rockin’ In the Free World was written to criticize another Republican politician, George H. W. Bush. The song references one of the former president’s 1988 presidential campaign promises, as well as his 1989 inaugural address, as it points out vulnerable populations being ignored. It’s understandable that the Canadian rocker was less than pleased by its use.
While Trump may not be able to win over Young, the king of self promotion does hope that the American public will be more supportive of his latest crack at Oval Office aspirations. In his speech, he spoke about how America needs a “truly great leader now” and promised to be “the greatest jobs president that God ever created.” Trump also shared in his first interview as a candidate that he’d love to have Oprah Winfrey, a friend of his, as his vice president. “I think Oprah would be great,” he told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos. “I think we’d win easily, actually.”
The campaign trail will keep Trump busy as he tries to set himself apart from the many other Repbulican hopefuls seeking their party’s nomination in 2016. His first order of business, though, should be picking out a new theme song ASAP.
