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Neil Young eviscerates Donald Trump in searing open letter: ‘You are a disgrace to my country’

Musician is a naturalised US citizen

Clémence Michallon
New York
Wednesday 19 February 2020 21:42 GMT
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Neil Young performs on 14 September 2019 in Lake Hughes, California.
Neil Young performs on 14 September 2019 in Lake Hughes, California. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Neil Young has published a searing open letter in which he bashes Donald Trump as “a disgrace to my country”.

Young posted the missive online on Tuesday.

The Canadian-born musician, an outspoken opponent to the US president, announced last month that he had become a US citizen and intended to use his new voting rights to support the Democrats.

In his new open letter, Young also reiterates his support for Bernie Sanders, whom he previously backed in 2016.

“You are a disgrace to my country,” tells the US president in the opening of the missive, which is titled “An open letter to Donald J Trump”.

“Bragging about the US economy does not disguise the fact that the numbers today are what you inherited almost four years ago.

“Your mindless destruction of our shared natural resources, our environment, and our relationships with friends around the world is unforgivable.”

The musician once again speaks out on Mr Trump’s use of his song “[Keep On] Rockin’ in the Free World”. He has made it clear in the past that he doesn’t want the US president using the tune at rallies.

“Every time ‘Keep on Rockin’ in the Free World’ or one of my songs is played at your rallies, I hope you hear my voice,” Young adds. “Remember it is the voice of a tax-paying US citizen who does not support you.”

Young later backs Sanders: “One of your opponents has the answers I like. He is aiming at preserving our children’s future directly. He is not popular with the Democratic establishment because, unlike all the other candidates, he is not pandering to the industries accelerating Earth’s Climate Crisis, the end of the world as we know it.

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“He is truly fighting for the USA. His initials are BS. Not his policies.”

Sanders is one of eight candidates still in the running for the Democratic nomination in the 2020 presidential race.

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