Legendary rocker Neil Young has once again stirred the political pot. During a concert soundcheck in Chicago on August 27, 2025, he debuted a powerful new protest track titled “Big Crime”—an unmistakable critique of then-President Donald Trump and his crime crackdown in Washington, D.C.
The song doesn’t shy away from its message. Young sings:
“Don’t need no fascist rules / Don’t want no fascist schools / Don’t want soldiers on our streets / There’s big crime in DC at the White House.”
“Got to get the fascists out / Got to clean the White House out… No more money to the fascists, the billionaire fascists / Time to blackout the system.”
The lyrics directly challenge Trump’s deployment of the National Guard in D.C., which had been framed as a response to rising crime. Young’s language—invoking fascism, the billionaire class, and the “system”—is cutting and unapologetic.
As expected, the White House dismissed the song’s assertions. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told Fox News that rather than undermining his legacy with “cringe songs,” Neil Young should speak to D.C. residents about the noticeable drop in violent crime thanks to federal action—including a claimed 44 percent reduction.
This is not Young’s first foray into political confrontation. He has a long history of outspoken commentary—from updating his earlier song Lookin’ for a Leader to target Trump, to previously filing (and then dropping) a lawsuit over Trump’s unauthorized use of his music at rallies.
Neil Young is still very active, both musically and politically. He’s currently touring with his new backing band, The Chrome Hearts, and earlier this year released the album Talkin to the Trees—his first studio album with the group. Tracks like “Let’s Roll Again” have already lambasted figures like Elon Musk.
“Big Crime” adds another bold chapter to Young’s protest canon, reminding audiences that age hasn’t softened his edge.
