Current:Home > ContactDonald Trump's campaign prohibited from using Isaac Hayes song after lawsuit threat -Triumph Financial Guides
Donald Trump's campaign prohibited from using Isaac Hayes song after lawsuit threat
View
Date:2025-04-19 23:29:23
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! (578)
Related
- Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
- With interest rates unchanged, small businesses continue to struggle: I can't grow my business
- How an American meat broker is fueling Amazon deforestation
- Mark Davis can't be trusted (again) to make the right call for his Raiders
- 'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
- Format of public comment meetings for Dakota Access oil pipeline upsets opponents
- HBO chief admits to 'dumb' idea of directing staff to anonymously troll TV critics online
- As some medical debt disappears from Americans' credit reports, scores are rising
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmatí helped beat sexism in Spain. Now it’s time to ‘focus on soccer’
Ranking
- Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
- Michael Phelps and Pregnant Wife Nicole Reveal Sex of Baby No. 4
- Bob Knight, legendary Indiana college basketball coach, dies at 83
- The Best Gifts That Only Look Expensive But Won’t Break the Bank
- Dick Vitale announces he is cancer free: 'Santa Claus came early'
- Powerball winning numbers from first drawing of November: Jackpot now at $173 million
- 'Planet Earth' returns for Part 3: Release date, trailer and how to watch in the U.S.
- Trump classified documents trial could be delayed, as judge considers schedule changes
Recommendation
Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith and the dangers of oversharing intimate details on social media
A Pennsylvania nurse is accused of killing 4 patients, injuring others with high doses of insulin
Israel's war with Hamas leaves Gaza hospitals short on supplies, full of dead and wounded civilians
Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
Predictions for NASCAR Cup Series finale: Odds favor Larson, Byron, Blaney, Bell
`Worse than people can imagine’: Medicaid `unwinding’ breeds chaos in states
Hailey Bieber Models Calvin Klein's Holiday Collection ... & It's On Sale