Current:Home > ScamsDonald Trump's campaign prohibited from using Isaac Hayes song after lawsuit threat -Keystone Wealth Vision
Donald Trump's campaign prohibited from using Isaac Hayes song after lawsuit threat
View
Date:2025-04-13 20:44:35
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! (262)
Related
- Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
- A mother releases video of her autistic son being hit by an aide on a school bus to raise awareness
- Stock Up On Your Favorite Yankee Candle Scents, Which Are Now Buy One, Get One 50% Off
- Devin Booker Responds to Rumor He Wears a Hairpiece
- Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
- Ford recalls nearly 43,000 SUVs due to gas leaks that can cause fires, but remedy won’t fix leaks
- Yet another MLB uniform issue: Tigers' Riley Greene rips pants open sliding into home
- Rare six-legged gazelle spotted in Israel
- Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
- Drake Bell “Still Reeling” After Detailing Abuse in Quiet on Set Docuseries
Ranking
- Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
- March Madness winners and losers: ACC, UConn, Cinderellas led NCAA Tournament highlights
- Kentucky governor cites higher incarceration costs in veto of criminal justice bill
- 1 person airlifted, 10 others injured after school bus overturns in North Carolina
- Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
- Town creates public art ordinance after free speech debate over doughnut mural
- Are casino workers entitled to a smoke-free workplace? The UAW thinks so.
- Is the U.S. in a vibecession? Here's why Americans are gloomy even as the economy improves.
Recommendation
Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
Longtime CBS broadcaster Verne Lundquist calls it a career at the 2024 Masters
Kentucky governor cites higher incarceration costs in veto of criminal justice bill
Conjoined twins Abby, Brittany Hensel back in spotlight after wedding speculation. It's gone too far.
Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
Teenager charged as an adult in downtown Indianapolis shooting that injured 7
A satanic temple in flames: The hunt is on for suspect who threw a pipe bomb in Salem
Abortion in Arizona set to be illegal in nearly all circumstances, state high court rules