Legendary rocker Neil Young fears his outspoken criticism of former President Donald Trump could lead to facing a ban or even jail time upon his return to the U.S. after a European tour.
- Apr 2, 2025
AceShowbiz - Veteran rocker Neil Young, who holds dual citizenship in Canada and the U.S., has expressed his apprehensions about potentially being barred from re-entering the United States due to his critical stance against former President Donald Trump.
Young, never one to hold back, has previously labeled Trump "a disgrace to my country," and criticized the former President's impact on the U.S.'s global standing.
In light of his upcoming European tour followed by U.S. dates, Young took to his Archives website to articulate his fears. "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," he wrote on April 1.
The rock icon elaborated on his concerns about freedom of speech in the U.S., referring to recent incidents such as the arrest and deportation orders against Syrian-born permanent resident and pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil.
"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, highlighting the erosion of constitutional freedoms.
Young also suggested that such actions could extend beyond public figures like himself. "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?" he questioned, emphasizing the dangerous precedent such governmental actions could set under Trump's leadership.
Young's tour is set to kick off in Rättvik, Sweden on June 18, with North American dates beginning in Charlotte, NC on August 8. Plans for a free concert in Ukraine to launch the tour were unfortunately cancelled due to safety concerns.
Despite his fears, Young reaffirmed his love for the U.S., its people, music, and culture. "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 concluded, reminding his audience of the fundamental American values of liberty and freedom.
With his characteristic candor, Neil Young's concerns bring to light important questions about freedom of speech and the state of political discourse in America, urging all to reflect on the principles that define the nation.
