Rock legend Neil Young has taken aim at Donald Trump once again, debuting a scathing new track titled “Big Crime” during a live performance in Chicago this week.
The song, unveiled on August 27 at the Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island with his new band, the Chrome Hearts, directly attacks what Young describes as Trump’s authoritarian grip on Washington, D.C. The Canadian-American icon also shared the lyrics and a soundcheck audio clip on his Neil Young Archives site under the post “BIG CRIME AT CHICAGO SOUNDCHECK.”
In the track, Young delivers a fiery indictment of fascist tendencies and billionaire influence in U.S. politics, singing lines such as:
“Don’t need no fascist rules, / Don’t want no fascist school, / Don’t want soldiers on our streets, / There’s big crime in DC at the White House.”
The song crescendos with an unmistakable jab at Trump’s campaign slogan:
“NO MORE GREAT AGAIN, No NO MORE GREAT AGAIN, / There’s big crime in DC at THE White House…”
A Long-Running Feud
Young has repeatedly clashed with Trump over the years. The musician condemned the former president for using his songs without permission at campaign rallies and has described Trump as a “disgrace” to the country.
Earlier this year, the 79-year-old singer expressed fears that his dual Canadian-U.S. citizenship could make him a target if Trump returns to power, suggesting he might even be barred or detained upon re-entry to the United States.
Continuing His Protest Tradition
“Big Crime” is the latest in a series of politically charged songs from Young. Earlier in 2025, he released “Big Change” with the Chrome Hearts, another anthem calling for transformation in American politics. He has also used his music to criticize tech billionaire Elon Musk, underscoring his willingness to confront powerful figures head-on.
With “Big Crime,” Neil Young reaffirms his role as one of rock’s most outspoken voices, unafraid to fuse activism with music at a time of heightened political division.
