Hannah Reveals Bureaucratic Battle

Daryl Hannah revealed in an interview how the Trump administration tried to complicate Neil Young’s U.S. citizenship process, calling it a bureaucratic nightmare. She discussed these challenges while promoting her documentary Neil Young: Coastal, which covers his 2023 solo tour.

At 79, Neil Young has long criticized Donald Trump, even suing him for using his song “Rockin' in the Free World” during the campaign. Recently, Young expressed concern on his website, warning that his outspoken views could lead to being barred from returning to the U.S. or detained, joking, "I may be one of those returning to America who is barred or put in jail to sleep on a cement floor with an aluminum blanket."

In her interview, Hannah explained how the Trump administration tried to create roadblocks at every turn. "They tried every trick in the book to mess him up, and made him keep coming back to be re-interviewed and re-interviewed,” she said, adding with a mix of disbelief and frustration, “It’s ridiculous, because he’s been living in America and paying taxes here since he was in his twenties.”

While the situation was undoubtedly tense, Hannah remained hopeful that Young would not be barred from re-entering the country. "They’ve been detaining people who have green cards or visas–which is hideous and horrifying–but they have not, so far, been refusing to let American citizens back in the country, so I don’t think that’s going to happen,” she noted.

The interview also touched on the couple’s upcoming plans, including their trip to Glastonbury, where Young will headline the iconic Pyramid Stage with his band, Chrome Hearts. As for the rumors of Young’s intimidating persona, Hannah was quick to counter, describing her partner as driven by nothing more than his passion for creativity.

“People think of him as this intimidating, inscrutable person who’ll make an album the record company refuses to put out," she said. "He’s not driven by financial interests, he’s not driven by self-aggrandisement, he’s not driven by anything other than that creative force, and it’s pretty incredible to witness.”

Neil Young: Coastal hits cinemas on April 17, offering fans an intimate look at the artist during his 2023 solo tour. Don’t miss his performance at Glastonbury on June 28.