Neil Young has once again taken a political standโthis time with a powerful new protest song that openly targets Elon Musk.
During a benefit performance at the Autism Speaksโ Light Up the Blues* concert in Los Angeles, the 79-year-old legend debuted a fiery track titled Letโs Roll Again. The event featured his new band, Chrome Dreams, and marked the first public unveiling of the controversial anthem.
Neil Youngโs lyrics take aim at electric cars, China, and American automakers
The song opens with a challenge to Detroitโs Big Three automakersโFord, General Motors, and Chryslerโto produce safer, cleaner vehicles.
He then referenced Chinaโs dominance in clean energy, calling it a hard pill for Americans to swallow.
Elon Musk called out directly in new protest lyrics.
โIf youโre a fascist get a Tesla,โ he sang, apparently bemoaning Muskโs role in the Trump administration. โItโs electric, it doesnโt matter.โ
A long history of clean energy activism fuels Youngโs musical message
Youngโs criticism of Musk isnโt sudden. Heโs been a clean-energy advocate for decades.
In 2008, he launched *Linc Volt Technology* to retrofit gas-powered cars with clean alternatives. That same year, he showcased a battery-powered 1959 Lincoln Continental in San Francisco.
Neil Youngโs feud with Trump also looms large in his new song
Youngโs disdain for former President **Donald Trump** is nothing new. Heโs publicly condemned Trumpโs use of *Rockinโ in the Free World* and even filed a lawsuit in 2020.
Heโs called Trump โthe worst president in historyโ and accused his administration of stifling free speech.
In a recent post on his website, Young raised concerns that his criticism might lead to re-entry issues after his European tour.
โIf I talk about Donald J. Trumpโฆ I may be one of those returning to America who is barred or put in jail.โ
Young warns that political dissent may soon face harsh consequences
Young voiced deep concern about the erosion of **freedom of speech** in the U.S.
โIf my opinion of Trump can stop me from returning, what does that say about freedom?โ
He accused the government of intimidating critics and hinted at an unofficial crackdown on dissent.
โIf 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. โฆ Remember Freedom of Speech?โ
The rocker went on: โBy 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. 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?โ
Neil Youngโs battle for U.S. citizenship was fraught with roadblocks
The feud with Trump took a personal turn during Youngโs citizenship process.
His wife, actress **Daryl Hannah**, revealed that Trumpโs administration tried to delay Youngโs naturalization over past marijuana use.
Despite repeated interviews and scrutiny, **Young gained citizenship in 2020**, proudly posting a salute in front of the American flag and a sign reading โDemocrats register to vote here.โ
Elon Musk remains silent as Neil Youngโs message spreads
As of now, Elon Musk has not responded to the song or the controversy.
But with Letโs Roll Again, Neil Young has reignited his role as one of rockโs most vocal activistsโfusing music, protest, and politics into a striking rebuke of two of Americaโs most controversial figures.