Mark Carney has received an endorsement from Neil Young, right, ahead of his headline show at Glastonbury in June. Pictures: Policy Exchange/Raph_PH

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Glastonbury headliner Neil Young slams Donald Trump in letter to PM hopeful Mark Carney

Paul JonesApril 16, 20250 Comment0

ROCK icon – and Glastonbury headliner this summer – Neil Young has said how US President Donald Trump “could use a soul”.

The legendary songwriter made the comments in an open letter to Canadian Liberal Party prime ministerial hopeful Mark Carney, who faces an election on April 28.

Voters will head to the polls amid a trade war with the US, as well as the US president regularly claiming he wants to make Canada the 51st US state – a move rejected by Mr Carney.

Young said he was writing to let the former Bank of England governor know “how much I appreciate and support what you are trying to do for our great country”.

“Although I have lived in the United States for most of my life, and recently became a citizen of the USA, I am a Canadian and always will be,” he went on.

Speaking of how throughout his career he had found it “urgent for us all to speak truth to power”, Young added: “Canada is facing threats to its very existence, incredibly from people we thought were our friends.

“They want our resources, they want our land, they want our fisheries, they want our water, they want our Arctic, maybe they want our souls.

“I know the US president could use a soul.”

Endorsing 60-year-old Carney to lead the country Young, who will headline the Saturday of Glastonbury on June 28, said: “It takes more than bravado to fight this kind of a threat.

“It takes brains, deep economic knowledge of how the world works, it takes strong, intelligent strategies, and the ability to recognize and seize opportunities both at home and on the world stage, opportunities that can bring a new level of prosperity and safety to people. People who right now may be paralyzed with fear as they look to the future of Canada and the world.

“Mr Carney, I believe you are the person to do it. I believe you are the person our country needs to lead us through this crazy situation and bring us out the other side as a stronger, smarter, more resilient Canada, our core values of caring and fairness and generosity intact, along with our souls.”

Canadians have reacted with anger to President Trump imposing trade tariffs on the country, as well as his desire to make the country part of the US.

Stores have removed American products from shelves, while polls show the vast majority of Canadians do not wish to become part of their southern neighbour.

And the developments have thrown the upcoming election into doubt.

Prior to President Trump returning to the White House, the Conservative party – led by Pierre Poilievre – was some 25 points ahead of the incumbent Liberals in many polls.

Carney took over as PM following the resignation of Justin Trudeau last month amid a huge swing in forecasts as Trump’s campaign continued.

Long seen as a Trump ally, Poilievre and his Conservative Party is now looking to downplay any comparison – political or otherwise – with their US counterparts as their poll numbers plummet.

Neil Young will be in Somerset this summer. Pictures: Raph_PH/Paul Jones

Neil Young’s letter to Canadian Liberal Party leader Mark Carney in full:

“Dear Mr. Carney…

I am writing because I want to tell you how much I appreciate and support what you are trying to do for our great country, Canada.

Although I have lived in the United States for most of my life, and recently became a citizen of the USA, I am a Canadian and always will be. Now a dual citizen, I was born in Toronto, lived in the small town of Omemee, Ontario, endured polio when I was so young, I hardly understood what was happening to me and worried every day that I was going to die. It’s a miracle I survived and my childhood continued. My parents were wonderful. They let me have chickens. They let me play my guitar. Our dinner conversations covered everything from world issues, to sports, to stuff that was just plain interesting. But life isn’t perfect and our family split up. That’s when I moved to Winnipeg with my mom and the course of my life became clear. I became a musician and played at high schools and community clubs throughout the wonderful province of Manitoba.

Like you, I’ve met a lot of people in my career, from many walks of life, some who were wonderful, a great help to me, and some who were just there for a while. At this stage of my life, I am thankful to all of them who showed up and joined me on my journey. And…. I am so grateful to have had the luxury of a spotlight to bring attention to important causes and try to lead the charge through my music for rights and fairness on behalf of the people. It was urgent for us all to speak truth to power.

So now, here we are again. Canada is facing threats to its very existence, incredibly from people we thought were our friends. They want our resources, they want our land, they want our fisheries, they want our water, they want our Arctic, maybe they want our souls. I know the US president could use a soul.

It takes more than bravado to fight this kind of a threat. It takes brains, deep economic knowledge of how the world works, it takes strong, intelligent strategies, and the ability to recognize and seize opportunities both at home and on the world stage, opportunities that can bring a new level of prosperity and safety to people…..people who right now may be paralyzed with fear as they look to the future of Canada and the world.

Mr. Carney, I believe you are the person to do it. I believe you are the person our country needs to lead us through this crazy situation and bring us out the other side as a stronger, smarter, more resilient Canada, our core values of caring and fairness and generosity intact, along with our souls. Without a doubt, you’ve got the chops to get it done. And man, you have got the guts to take it on.

It’s a heavy lift for sure, Mr. Carney. But I, for one, am with you all the way.

PEACE,

…Neil Young”