Rock legend Neil Young has penned a scathing new editorial aimed at Donald Trump, utilizing his official Neil Young Archives platform to address recent civil unrest and double down on his long-standing opposition to the former president.
In the piece, titled “It’s ICE Cold Here in America,” Young issues a clarion call for citizens to “wake up.” He describes a deteriorating sociopolitical climate, arguing that the nation’s foundations are being undermined by the current leadership’s approach.
The essay was published shortly after a tragic incident in Minneapolis, where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer fatally shot a protester. The event triggered a wave of demonstrations across several major American cities.
“Today the USA is a disaster,” Young asserted in the post. “Donald Trump is destroying America bit by bit with his staff of wannabes… He has divided us.”
Young further accused the administration of leveraging fear as a political instrument, warning against the perceived militarization of domestic urban centers. He wrote that the “Make America Great Again” agenda is being used to transform cities into “battlegrounds,” suggesting such instability is a tactic to circumvent accountability and disrupt democratic processes.
The musician emphasized the necessity of collective, non-violent resistance. “Something has to change this,” Young continued. “We know what to do. Rise up. Peacefully in millions. Too many innocent people are dying.”
In the final section of his critique, Young focused his ire on ICE, using the agency’s acronym to describe a chilling atmosphere in the United States. He argued that policy moves are being made to foster instability as a means of retaining power. Ending on a more philosophical note, he urged his readers to operate from a place of compassion and “love of one another” rather than succumb to fear.
This latest broadside is part of a contentious, years-long history between the artist and the politician. Despite Trump’s previously stated admiration for Young’s work—having once described his voice as “perfect and haunting” in a 2008 interview—Young has consistently rebuffed the former president, particularly regarding the unauthorized use of his music at political rallies.
Young’s political frustrations have also bled into his creative output. Last year, he debuted the protest track “Big Crime,” which directly critiques the political establishment in Washington, D.C. The song, which includes the refrain, “There’s big crime in DC at the White House,” was subsequently covered by the indie-rock band Yo La Tengo.
Beyond his political commentary, Young remains active in preserving his musical legacy. He recently provided fans with an update on the progress of the fourth volume of his comprehensive Archive Series, which is set to feature a massive collection of unreleased recordings and historical artifacts from his storied career.
