Current:Home > MyDonald Trump's campaign prohibited from using Isaac Hayes song after lawsuit threat -AssetScope
Donald Trump's campaign prohibited from using Isaac Hayes song after lawsuit threat
View
Date:2025-04-18 10:00:43
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! (51)
Related
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Taxpayers could get $500 'inflation refund' checks under New York proposal: What to know
- New Jersey, home to many oil and gas producers, eyes fees to fight climate change
- Beyoncé takes home first award in country music category at 2024 Billboard Music Awards
- Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
- Taylor Swift makes history as most decorated artist at Billboard Music Awards
- Trump taps immigration hard
- Most reports ordered by California’s Legislature this year are shown as missing
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- Secretly recorded videos are backbone of corruption trial for longest
Ranking
- Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
- I loved to hate pop music, until Chappell Roan dragged me back
- GM to retreat from robotaxis and stop funding its Cruise autonomous vehicle unit
- Bill Belichick's salary at North Carolina: School releases football coach's contract details
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- One Tech Tip: How to protect your communications through encryption
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
- Google forges ahead with its next generation of AI technology while fending off a breakup threat
Recommendation
Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
Syrian rebel leader says he will dissolve toppled regime forces, close prisons
Syrian rebel leader says he will dissolve toppled regime forces, close prisons
Travis Kelce Praises Taylor Swift For Making Eras Tour "Best In The World"
Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
Lil Durk suspected of funding a 2022 murder as he seeks jail release in separate case
KISS OF LIFE reflects on sold
This house from 'Home Alone' is for sale. No, not that one.