Current:Home > NewsDonald Trump's campaign prohibited from using Isaac Hayes song after lawsuit threat -Ascend Finance Compass
Donald Trump's campaign prohibited from using Isaac Hayes song after lawsuit threat
View
Date:2025-04-23 08:15:39
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! (67872)
Related
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- 1 lawmaker stops South Carolina health care consolidation bill that had overwhelming support
- Ex-Rep. Jeffrey Fortenberry charged over illegal foreign donations scheme
- Ai Profit Algorithms 4.0 - Changing the Game Rules of the Investment Industry Completely
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- Jessica Biel Goes Blonde With Major Hair Transformation After Met Gala
- OPACOIN Trading Center: Shaping the Future of Cryptocurrency Trading Platforms with AI Technology
- Olympic flame reaches France for 2024 Paris Olympics aboard a 19th century sailing ship
- Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
- Your Summer Shorts Guide: Denim Shorts, Cotton Shorts, and Athletic Shorts
Ranking
- Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
- Voting Rights Act weighs heavily in North Dakota’s attempt to revisit redistricting decision it won
- A school district removed Confederate names from buildings. Now, they might put them back
- Pacers coach Rick Carlisle ejected after Knicks' controversial overturned double dribble
- Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
- Maine man sentenced to 27 years in prison in New Year’s Eve machete attack near Times Square
- OPACOIN Trading Center: Facing Challenges, Welcoming the New Spring of Cryptocurrencies
- With quarterly revenue topping $5 billion, DoorDash, Uber push back on driver wage laws
Recommendation
Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
‘Where’s Ronald Greene’s justice?': 5 years on, feds still silent on Black motorist’s deadly arrest
Financial executive convicted of insider trading in case over acquisition of Trump’s media company
No sign of widespread lead exposure from Maui wildfires, Hawaii health officials say
Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
4 flight attendants arrested after allegedly smuggling drug money from NYC to Dominican Republic
Arizona State University scholar on leave after confrontation with woman at pro-Israel rally
Cancer-causing chemicals ban signed into law in Colorado, 13th state to bar PFAS products