Current:Home > FinanceJack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song -Ascend Finance Compass
Jack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song
View
Date:2025-04-12 13:16:35
Another musician is objecting to the Trump campaign's use of their work.
Jack White on Thursday threatened legal action against former President Donald Trump's team after the deputy director of communications for his 2024 presidential campaign allegedly posted a video of Trump boarding a plane to the tune of The White Stripes' iconic 2003 track "Seven Nation Army." The video, which White posted a screen recording of on Instagram, appears to have been taken down.
"President @realDonaldTrump departs for Michigan and Wisconsin!" Margo Martin's X post read, per White's screen recording.
"Oh....Don't even think about using my music you fascists," White wrote in the caption of his post. "Law suit coming from my lawyers about this (to add to your 5 thousand others.) Have a great day at work today Margo Martin."
White also castigated Trump for an altercation between a public affairs official and members of the Trump campaign at Arlington National Cemetery yesterday. Though federal law states political activities are not permitted on cemetery grounds, Trump's team was reportedly photographing and filming at the site.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
He called out the Republican presidential candidate "for insulting our nation's veterans at Arlington you scum. You should lose every military family's vote immediately from that if ANYTHING makes sense anymore."
USA TODAY reached out to the Trump campaign and White's reps for comment.
Who's spoken out?Trump keeps dancing as artists get outraged over use of their songs
Céline Dion, Foo Fighters have also spoken out against Trump campaign
The former White Stripes frontman is the latest in a string of artists who have distanced themselves from Trump's presidential run after his campaign used their music in rallies and videos.
Céline Dion ("My Heart Will Go On"), Foo Fighters ("My Hero"), the estate of Sinéad O'Connor ("Nothing Compares 2 U") and the family of songwriter Isaac Hayes (Sam & Dave's "Hold On, I'm Comin'") are among those who have denounced the use of their work.
Some, but not all, have threatened legal action.
After the Trump campaign played "Hold On, I'm Comin'" at rallies, Hayes' son, Isaac Hayes III, filed a copyright infringement notice, which was issued to Trump and demanded a payment of $3 million in licensing fees.
"Donald Trump epitomizes a lack of integrity and class, not only through his continuous use of my father's music without permission but also through his history of sexual abuse against women and his racist rhetoric," Hayes III wrote on Instagram. "This behavior will no longer be tolerated, and we will take swift action to put an end to it."
The Hayes family's lawyer claims Trump "willfully and brazenly" committed copyright infringement and has continued to use the song "despite being asked repeatedly not to engage in such illegal use" by the family.
After "My Hero" was played at Trump's Arizona rally with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. last week, a representative for the Foo Fighters told USA TODAY the band was not asked for permission, and if they were it would not have been granted. The rock band vowed to donate "any royalties received as a result of this use will be donated" to Democratic candidate Kamala Harris' presidential campaign.
Contributing: Taijuan Moorman
veryGood! (73)
Related
- The Louvre will be renovated and the 'Mona Lisa' will have her own room
- Jill Biden and military kids sort toys the White House donated to the Marine Corps Reserve program
- Was 44 too old to be a new mom? Growing cohort of older parents face new risks post Dobbs.
- Jill Biden and military kids sort toys the White House donated to the Marine Corps Reserve program
- Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
- Tom Suozzi appears to be Democrats' choice in special election for George Santos' congressional seat
- Hopes for a Mercosur-EU trade deal fade yet again as leaders meet in Brazil
- Putin continues his blitz round of Mideast diplomacy by hosting the Iranian president
- NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
- Wyoming may auction off huge piece of pristine land inside Grand Teton
Ranking
- Intellectuals vs. The Internet
- Chinese navy ships are first to dock at new pier at Cambodian naval base linked to Beijing
- Khloe Kardashian's Kids True and Tatum and Niece Dream Kardashian Have an Adorable PJ Dance Party
- Stock market today: Asian shares slide after retreat on Wall Street as crude oil prices skid
- Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
- With $25 Million and Community Collaboration, Baltimore Is Becoming a Living Climate Lab
- Life Goes On Actress Andrea Fay Friedman Dead at 53
- West Africa court refuses to recognize Niger’s junta, rejects request to lift coup sanctions
Recommendation
Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
Massachusetts governor says AI, climate technology and robotics are part of state’s economic future
Why the Albanian opposition is disrupting parliament with flares, makeshift barricades and fires
Ancient 'ghost galaxy' shrouded in dust detected by NASA: What makes this 'monster' special
Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
Gaza protests prompt California governor to hold virtual Christmas tree-lighting ceremony
What restaurants are open on Christmas Eve 2023? Details on Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, more
Democracy activist Agnes Chow says she still feels under the Hong Kong police’s watch in Canada