First Neil Young took Donald Trump to task for using one of his hits without permission during his campaign announcement, and now the presidential candidate is fighting back, attacking both the Canadian’s songwriting skills and his integrity.
“@Neilyoung‘s song, “Rockin’ In The Free World” was just one of 10 songs used as background music. Didn’t love it anyway,” Trump tweeted on Wednesday.
He also posted a photo of himself shaking hands with Young, with the scathing caption: “For the nonbeliever, here is a photo of @Neilyoung in my office and his $$ request — total hypocrite.”
Next to the photo is a document signed by Young regarding a stock purchase agreement, with Trump claiming that the “Harvest Moon” singer recently asked him for money for “an audio deal.”
The standoff between the pair began with Young’s outrage over Trump’s unauthorized use of his 1989 anthem. “Donald Trump was not authorized to use ‘Rockin’ In The Free World’ in his presidential candidacy announcement,” Young’s management company told TheWrap in a statement earlier this month.
The management company added that Young, a Canadian citizen, “is a supporter of Bernie Sanders for President of The United States Of America.”
During his announcement at Trump Tower in New York, Trump vowed that he will be “the greatest jobs president that God ever created.
“I’ve employed tens of thousands of people over my lifetime,” he said. He also opined that “the American dream is dead, but if I get elected president I will bring it back bigger, better and stronger than ever before.”
Along with “Rockin’ In The Free World,” Trump’s announcement also featured Aerosmith’s “Dream On,” the Rolling Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” “The Music of The Night” from the Broadway musical “Phantom of the Opera” and “Memory” from “Cats.”
2016 Presidential Contenders: The Race to the White House (Photos)
Republican Texas Senator Ted Cruz was the first person to officially throw his hat into the ring on March 23.
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Republican Senator Rand Paul announced his candidacy on April 7.
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Former First Lady and Secretary of State, Democrat Hillary Clinton announced she would again seek the Oval Office on April 12.
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A Tea Party favorite, Florida Senator Marco Rubio announced his candidacy on April 13.
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A self-described democratic socialist, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders announced he would run on April 28.
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Retired neurosurgeon, Dr. Ben Carson announced his candidacy on May 3. A native of Detroit, the Republican lived in Baltimore for 36 years.
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The first woman to lead a Fortune 20 company, Republican Carly Fiorina announced her candidacy on May 4.
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Former Arkansas governor and Fox News host Mike Huckabee announced his second presidential run in the GOP field on May 5.
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A former Republican senator from Pennsylvania, Rick Santorum announced his second presidential bid on May 27.
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Former New York Governor George Pataki announced the launch of his presidential campaign with a YouTube video on May 28.
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Martin O'Malley, a Democrat and former governor of Maryland, joined the race on May 30.
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Lindsey Graham, a Republican senator from South Carolina, announced he would run for the highest office on June 1.
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A former Republican and independent governor of Rhode Island, Lincoln Chafee announced his bid for the Democratic nomination on June 3.
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Rick Perry threw his hat into the ring for a second time on June 4. The Republican was the longest serving governor in Texas history.
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The son of one former president and brother of another, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush announced his bid for the Republican nomination on June 15.
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Republican real estate mogul Donald Trump threw his hat into the presidential ring on June 16, saying he'd be “the greatest jobs president that God ever created.”
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"I'm running for President of the United States of America," tweeted Louisiana's Republican Governor Bobby Jindal, who used social media to announce his candidacy on June 24.
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After declaring that "both parties have failed our country," New Jersey's Republican Governor Chris Christie announced his intention to run on June 30.
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Jim Webb, a decorated Vietnam vet and the former Democratic governor of Virginia, announced his candidacy on July 2.
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Wisconsin's Republican Governor Scott Walker announced his candidacy on July 13 with a campaign video.
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Ohio Governor John Kasich announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination on July 21, saying no other candidate else has his experience dealing with deficits, unemployment and national security.
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Jim Gilmore, former Army intelligence officer and Republican governor of Virginia, announced his candidacy on July 30.
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From Jeb Bush to Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, the race continues to grow
Republican Texas Senator Ted Cruz was the first person to officially throw his hat into the ring on March 23.