Yesterday, real estate mogul Donald Trump announced his candidacy for the Presidency of the United States. He did so in his hometown of New York City–and from within Trump Tower, the first of many buildings to bear his blunt name. He also did so after taking the stage to the sweet sounds of Neil Young’s classic song “Rockin’ in the Free World.”
That particular Neil Young song has long been considered a criticism of the George H. W. Bush presidential administration, and, more specifically, to the elder Bush’s inability to see or understand the economic problems of middle America. One of the things that Donald Trump said in yesterday’s speech is that he is worth nine billion dollars ($9,000,000,000), and that he is willing to spend some of those billions on a lavish presidential campaign.
So, put two and two together here.
Young, who is both Canadian and an avid supporter of Senator Bernie Sanders, was not pleased about Donald Trump, let alone Trump’s usage of the song. Young’s manager issued a terse statement:
Donald Trump was not authorized to use “Rockin’ In The Free World” in his presidential candidacy announcement. Neil Young, a Canadian citizen, is a supporter of Bernie Sanders for President of the United States of America.
Trump’s people said they used the song legally, as it was licensed through musician’s union ASCAP. ASCAP does note, however, that songs used for political purposes must be approved by the artist. Young hasn’t yet stated whether he’ll pursue legal action; it would be more in his style to criticize Trump from onstage. And it would be more in Trump’s style to welcome any legal challenge, while flashing rolls of hundred dollar bills.
By the by: if you have forty-five free minutes, a couple of really strong, bracing beverages nearby, and the inexplicable curiosity that made circus sideshows part of American culture for generations, do yourself a favor and watch Donald Trump’s entire speech. It is the diary of an egocentric hobbit slowly going batsh*t crazy in public: like a Bond villain run through a Dostoyevskian filter.
Here are a few choice lines from the speech:
“It’s going to get worse, because remember, Obamacare really kicks in in ’16, 2016. Obama is going to be out playing golf. He might be on one of my courses. I would invite him, I actually would say. I have the best courses in the world, so I’d say, you what, if he wants to — I have one right next to the White House, right on the Potomac. If he’d like to play, that’s fine.”
“We need a truly great leader now. We need a leader that wrote The Art of the Deal.”
“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you. They’re not sending you. They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”
“So I’ve watched the politicians. I’ve dealt with them all my life. If you can’t make a good deal with a politician, then there’s something wrong with you. You’re certainly not very good. And that’s what we have= representing us. They will never make America great again. They don’t even have a chance. They’re controlled fully — they’re controlled fully by the lobbyists, by the donors, and by the special interests, fully. Yes, they control them. Hey, I have lobbyists. I have to tell you. I have lobbyists that can produce anything for me. They’re great.”
Election Day is November 8th, 2016.
(Photo credits: WENN)
