Current:Home > NewsDonald Trump's campaign prohibited from using Isaac Hayes song after lawsuit threat -WealthMindset Learning
Donald Trump's campaign prohibited from using Isaac Hayes song after lawsuit threat
Benjamin Ashford View
Date:2025-04-08 11:35:24
A federal judge in Atlanta ruled Tuesday that Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and his campaign can no longer use Isaac Hayes' song "Hold On, I'm Comin.'"
The ruling comes nearly a month after Hayes' family threatened to sue the former president over his use of the track, co-written by Hayes and performed by soul duo Sam & Dave, at rallies.
"Today our family was granted an injunction against @realdonaldtrump from playing @IsaacHayes3 music ever again," Hayes' son Isaac Hayes III wrote on X. "We are please(d) with the decision by the court and move to the next phase of this lawsuit."
Hayes III previously shared a copy of a copyright infringement notice on social media, filed by lawyer James Walker and issued to Trump, demanding his campaign pay $3 million in licensing fees. The late singer's family was considering suing for 134 counts of copyright infringement for the "unauthorized use of the song" at campaign rallies over the last two years.
Read more here:Isaac Hayes' family demands Trump stop using his song at rallies, $3M in fees
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
The notice also demanded the Trump campaign remove videos featuring the song and issue a public disclaimer, or else face "further legal action."
Judge Thomas W. Thrash Jr. granted the Hayes estate's request to halt Trump's use of the song, but the judge reportedly denied the estate's motion to remove previously recorded uses of the song from the campaign, according to CNN and The Associated Press.
While speaking to reporters after the hearing, Trump's attorney Ronald Coleman said the former president's legal team was pleased with Thrash's ruling on previous uses of the song. Coleman added that the Trump campaign had already agreed not to use the track anymore.
"The campaign has no interest in annoying or hurting anyone, and if the Hayes family feels that it hurts or annoys them, that's fine. We're not going to force the issue," Coleman said, per CNN and AP.
Following the judge's ruling, Hayes' son told reporters he was "very grateful and happy," according to AP.
"I want this to serve as an opportunity for other artists to come forward that don’t want their music used by Donald Trump or other political entities and continue to fight for music artists’ rights and copyright," his son said, per the outlet.
The Hayes family's motion against the Trump campaign is listed as a preliminary injunction in the case, according to the U.S. District Court Northern District of Georgia website. Future hearing dates were not immediately available.
Hayes died on Aug. 10, 2008. He co-wrote "Hold On, I’m Comin,'" released in 1966, with David Porter. The soul-pop hit has been covered by Aretha Franklin, Waylon Jennings, Eric Clapton, B.B. King and Tina Turner.
The number of songs Trump can use at his rallies is steadily decreasing.
Donald Trump v. Beyoncé:Trump's campaign removes 'Freedom' video after reports singer sent cease and desist
Hayes' family joins a long list of people who have demanded the former president stop using artists' music at his rallies, including Sinéad O'Connor's estate, Prince's estate, The Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, Brendon Urie of Panic! at the Disco and the family of Tom Petty.
Contributing: Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY
veryGood! (672)
Related
- 'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
- Dikembe Mutombo, NBA Center Legend, Dead at 58 After Cancer Battle
- Ariana Grande Claps Back at the Discourse Around Her Voice, Cites Difference for Male Actors
- Native Americans in Montana ask court for more in-person voting sites
- Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
- Angelina Jolie drops FBI lawsuit over alleged Brad Pitt plane incident, reports say
- John Deere recalls compact utility tractors, advises owners to stop use immediately
- Shawn Mendes Shares Update on Camila Cabello Relationship After Brutal Public Split
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- No arrests in South Africa mass shootings as death toll rises to 18
Ranking
- The Super Bowl could end in a 'three
- Why Rihanna Says Being a Mom of 2 Boys Is an “Olympic Sport”
- Donald Trump suggests ‘one rough hour’ of policing will end theft
- Many Verizon customers across the US hit by service outage
- US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
- NHTSA: Cruise to pay $1.5M penalty after failing to fully report crash involving pedestrian
- Buffalo’s longest-serving mayor is leaving City Hall for a betting agency
- The Latest: Harris, Trump shift plans after Hurricane Helene’s destruction
Recommendation
Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
Inside Frances Bean Cobain's Unique Private World With Riley Hawk
5 dead, including minor, after plane crashes near Wright Brothers memorial in North Carolina
Cardi B Reveals How She Found Out She Was Pregnant With Baby No. 3
Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case
Biltmore Estate: What we know in the aftermath of Helene devastation in Asheville
Gavin Creel, Tony-winning Broadway star, dies at 48
Desperate Housewives' Marcia Cross Shares Her Health Advice After Surviving Anal Cancer