Current:Home > FinanceDonald Trump's campaign prohibited from using Isaac Hayes song after lawsuit threat -Capital Dream Guides
Donald Trump's campaign prohibited from using Isaac Hayes song after lawsuit threat
View
Date:2025-04-14 05:05:25
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! (632)
Related
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- July 4th food deals: Get discounts at Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Target, Jimmy John's, more
- Tour de France Stage 5 results, standings: Mark Cavendish makes history
- Bookcases recalled nearly a year after 4-year-old killed by tip-over
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- Some data is ‘breached’ during a hacking attack on the Alabama Education Department
- Separated by duty but united by bond, a pair of Marines and their K-9s are reunited for the first time in years
- As Gunnar Henderson awaits All-Star turn, baseball world discovers his 'electric' talent
- Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
- Mandy Moore Shares Pregnancy Melasma Issues
Ranking
- Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
- Horoscopes Today, July 3, 2024
- Separated by duty but united by bond, a pair of Marines and their K-9s are reunited for the first time in years
- Maryland OKs $50.3M contract for removal of bridge collapse debris
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- Lucky Blue Smith's Ex Stormi Bree Reacts to Nara Smith's TikTok Fame
- Tony-winning musical ‘Suffs’ disrupted by chanting protesters with a banner
- Cleveland officer fatally shot while trying to serve a warrant
Recommendation
'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
'American Idol' judge Luke Bryan doesn't know if he or Lionel Richie will return
Dave Grohl's Sleek Wimbledon Look Will Have You Doing a Double Take
California man convicted of murder in 2018 stabbing death of gay University of Pennsylvania student
Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
How Vanessa Hudgens Celebrated Husband Cole Tucker's Birthday Hours Before Baby News
Hurricane Beryl severely damages or destroys 90% of homes on Union Island in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, prime minister says
Why Scott Disick Cheekily Told Social Media Users to Go F Yourself