Current:Home > NewsDonald Trump's campaign prohibited from using Isaac Hayes song after lawsuit threat -BeyondWealth Learning
Donald Trump's campaign prohibited from using Isaac Hayes song after lawsuit threat
View
Date:2025-04-13 01:03:19
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! (7186)
Related
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- Texas, other GOP-led states sue over program to give immigrant spouses of US citizens legal status
- Senators demand the USDA fix its backlog of food distribution to Native American tribes
- Logan Paul Addresses Accusation He Pushed Dog Off Boat in Resurfaced Video
- US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
- Texas, other GOP-led states sue over program to give immigrant spouses of US citizens legal status
- Michigan man sentenced to life in 2-year-old’s kidnapping death
- How will NASA get Boeing Starliner astronauts back to Earth? Decision expected soon
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Union rep says West Virginia governor late on paying worker health insurance bills, despite denials
Ranking
- Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
- Former Alabama prosecutor found guilty of abusing position for sex
- Channing Tatum Couldn’t Leave the Bathroom for 12 Hours After TMI Pool Incident in Mexico
- Why TikToker Jools Lebron Is Gagged by Jennifer Lopez Embracing Demure Trend
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- Erica Lee Carter, daughter of the late US Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, will seek to finish her term
- American Hockey League mandates neck guards to prevent cuts from skate blades
- Music Review: Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Short n’ Sweet’ is flirty, fun and wholly unserious
Recommendation
Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
Channing Tatum Couldn’t Leave the Bathroom for 12 Hours After TMI Pool Incident in Mexico
Hailey Bieber and Justin Bieber Are Parents: We’re Confident You’ll Love Their Rhode to Baby
NASCAR Daytona live updates: Highlights, results from Saturday night's Cup race
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
Zayn Malik Shows Off Full Beard and Hair Transformation in New Video
Bears' Douglas Coleman III released from hospital after being taken off field in ambulance
Texas chief who called Uvalde response ‘abject failure’ but defended his state police is retiring