Neil Young has expressed concerns that he could be barred from re-entering the U.S. after his upcoming European tour, citing his outspoken criticism of former President Donald Trump. The musician fears that his vocal opposition to Trump may make him a target, especially in light of recent deportations of activists.
In a post on his Neil Young Archives website, Young said, “If I talk about Donald J. Trump while in Europe, I may be one of those returning to America who is barred or put in jail.” He added that such actions have become common, with countries advising against returning to the U.S. after speaking out against the Trump administration.
Young, a dual U.S.-Canadian citizen, went on to argue that speaking out against Trump could threaten his ability to perform in the U.S. “If I am barred from returning, all the people who bought tickets to my U.S. tour won’t be able to see the show,” he said.
The musician did not hold back in his criticism of the former president, calling Trump “the worst president in the history of our great country.” He questioned the state of American freedom, asking, “What does that say for freedom of speech?” and reiterated his love for America despite his criticisms.
Young’s comments came on April 1, following a series of other political posts on his website. Although his remarks fell on April Fool’s Day, they were not intended as a joke. In fact, they aligned with previous statements where Young expressed concern over the state of free speech and the potential consequences for those who disagree with the U.S. government under Trump.
Looking ahead, Young has a U.S. tour scheduled with his band, the Chrome Hearts, starting in August. Before that, he will perform across Europe from June 8 to July 13.
In a post the day before, Young criticized the U.S. government’s treatment of free speech, particularly in relation to Canadian-Americans and those opposing Trump. He also reiterated his concerns about the influence of figures like Elon Musk, whom he believes poses a threat to America.
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