Current:Home > NewsDonald Trump's campaign prohibited from using Isaac Hayes song after lawsuit threat -InvestTomorrow
Donald Trump's campaign prohibited from using Isaac Hayes song after lawsuit threat
View
Date:2025-04-13 03:10:44
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! (68)
Related
- Trump invites nearly all federal workers to quit now, get paid through September
- Feds fighting planned expedition to retrieve Titanic artifacts, saying law treats wreck as hallowed gravesite
- Prepare to be Charmed by Kaley Cuoco's Attempt at Recreating a Hair Tutorial
- Austin police say 2 dead, 1 injured in shooting at business
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- Where road rage is a way of life: These states have the most confrontational drivers, survey says
- Former basketball coach gets nearly 21-year sentence for producing child sex abuse material
- Appeals court agrees that a former Tennessee death row inmate can be eligible for parole in 4 years
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- North Dakota lawmakers take stock of the boom in electronic pull tabs gambling
Ranking
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Alaska board of education votes to ban transgender girls from competing on high school girls teams
- New Mexico authorities raid homes looking for evidence of alleged biker gang crimes
- Here Are the 26 Best Amazon Labor Day 2023 Deals Starting at Just $7
- Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
- Massachusetts transit sergeant charged with falsifying reports to cover for second officer
- White House asks Congress to pass short-term spending bill to avert government shutdown
- Shay Mitchell Shares Stress-Free Back to School Tips and Must-Haves for Parents
Recommendation
Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
FBI updates photo of University of Wisconsin bomber wanted for 53 years
With UAW strike looming, contract negotiations may lead to costlier EVs. Here's why
Tori Spelling Pens Tribute to Her and Dean McDermott’s “Miracle Baby” Finn on His 11th Birthday
Average rate on 30
Where road rage is a way of life: These states have the most confrontational drivers, survey says
Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne Johnson launch fund with $10 million for displaced Maui residents
Post Malone Proudly Shows Results of His 55-Pound Weight Loss Journey in New Selfie