Neil Young – who is a dual citizen of Canada and the United States – has never been shy about his dislike for Donald Trump. In 2020, the musician called the President “a disgrace to my country,” and said just last month that he thinks “the U.S. has lost its standing” on the world stage under Trump’s leadership.
Now, Young has taken to his Archives website to explain that he fears this criticism may cause him problems when reentering the U.S. upon his return from his European tour later this year.
“When I go to play music in Europe, if I talk about Donald J. Trump, I may be one of those returning to America who is barred or put in jail to sleep on a cement floor with an aluminum blanket,” Young wrote on Tuesday (April 1). “If I come back from Europe and am barred, can’t play my USA tour, all of the folks who bought tickets will not be able to come to a concert by me.
“If the fact that I think Donald Trump is the worst president in the history of our great country could stop me from coming back, what does that say for Freedom? I love America and its people and its music and its culture.”
He continued, reflecting on the United States’ constitutional right to freedom of speech.
“By these latest actions of our US government, it seems that those who speak out freely with their own opinions are now vulnerable to a non-existent Trump law,” Young wrote. “Then it seems to me that if you voted for Kamala Harris over Trump, that makes it possible for you to go to jail or be detained, punished in some way for not showing allegiance to what? How spineless is that? Trump is not be able to stand up to anyone who does not agree with his ideas?
“Remember, all months have 30 days,” he concluded. “One country, indivisible, with Liberty and Freedom for all. Remember that? I do.”
Young’s European tour – which will kick off this June – originally included a free show in Ukraine (his first ever in that country). Late last month, however, Young announced the cancellation of the free concert, citing safety concerns as the reason for the decision.
