Neil Young is officially severing ties with the “fascist Trump regime” and every corporation he believes is fueling its momentum through financial contributions.
In a blistering manifesto shared on Thursday (Jan. 29) via the Neil Young Archives, the legendary rock icon launched a scathing critique of several tech and telecommunications giants. Specifically, Young called out Verizon, T-Mobile, and Apple for their alleged fiscal support of the Trump administration.
“I’ve considered ditching my service provider, Verizon, like a cold fish,” Young wrote, lamenting that the money he pays for his cellular service is inadvertently causing political harm. His search for an ethical alternative hit a snag when he investigated T-Mobile. While initially hopeful, Young discarded the option after citing reports of the company’s massive donations toward renovations at a Trump-owned property. “T-Mobile is apparently out,” he concluded, citing a lack of financial transparency.
Young’s political stance has intensified following recent tragic events in Minnesota. A lifelong activist who previously pulled his catalog from Amazon due to Jeff Bezos’ perceived political ties, Young noted that the recent fatal shootings of American citizens Renée Good and Alex Pretti by ICE agents have pushed him to a breaking point. He expressed a deep-seated refusal to let the revenue generated by his music support an administration he views as complicit in domestic violence.
“One by one, I am canceling all contact with each of them,” Young declared. He emphasized that he cannot, in good conscience, allow the money he earns from his fans to be funneled toward a regime that backs illegal killings. “I’m trying to not support the companies that support the regime… while people are being shot on the streets of America!”
The singer also turned his sights on Apple CEO Tim Cook. Young criticized Cook’s recent presence at a White House event and threatened potential legal action against the tech giant if hardware performance becomes dependent on “costly upgrades.”
“I’m calling my business manager to ensure I don’t upgrade anything from Apple,” Young claimed, accusing Cook of “falling over backwards” to appease the administration. He urged his followers to be more mindful of their consumer habits: “Think of the money you spend and where it goes.”
As he continues to “re-assess” his entire professional ecosystem, Young also hinted that his long-standing relationship with Warner Music Group—the label responsible for his distribution—may be under scrutiny.
“I’ll keep you updated, folks,” he concluded.
At the time of publication, representatives for Apple, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Warner Music Group have not issued a response to Young’s public statements.
