Current:Home > MarketsDonald Trump's campaign prohibited from using Isaac Hayes song after lawsuit threat -Dynamic Money Growth
Donald Trump's campaign prohibited from using Isaac Hayes song after lawsuit threat
View
Date:2025-04-18 20:17:59
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! (2)
Related
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- Japan launches a contest to urge young people to drink more alcohol
- Cash App Founder Bob Lee's Cause of Death Revealed
- A History of Prince Harry & Prince William's Feud: Where They Stand Before King Charles III's Coronation
- Don't let hackers fool you with a 'scam
- Nebraska Landowners Hold Keystone XL at Bay With Lawsuit
- Why you should stop complimenting people for being 'resilient'
- There's a bit of good news about monkeypox. Is it because of the vaccine?
- House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
- IEA Says U.S. Could Become Desert Solar Leader—With Right Incentives
Ranking
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- Today’s Climate: April 30, 2010
- Get Your Mane Back on Track With the Best Hair Growth Products for Thinning Hair
- Billie Eilish’s Sneaky Met Gala Bathroom Selfie Is Everything We Wanted
- The Louvre will be renovated and the 'Mona Lisa' will have her own room
- 16 migrants flown to California on chartered jet and left outside church: Immoral and disgusting
- Exxon Gets Fine, Harsh Criticism for Negligence in Pegasus Pipeline Spill
- Makeup That May Improve Your Skin? See What the Hype Is About and Save $30 on Bareminerals Products
Recommendation
From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
Missing resident from Davenport, Iowa, building collapse found dead, officials confirm
Directors Guild of America reaches truly historic deal with Hollywood studios
Flash Deal: Save $621 on the Aeropilates Reformer Machine
Average rate on 30
N. Richard Werthamer
Tori Spelling Recalls Throwing Up on Past Date With Eddie Cibrian Before He Married LeAnn Rimes
Today’s Climate: May 10, 2010