Current:Home > NewsDonald Trump's campaign prohibited from using Isaac Hayes song after lawsuit threat -ProfitEdge
Donald Trump's campaign prohibited from using Isaac Hayes song after lawsuit threat
View
Date:2025-04-14 16:44:43
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! (9932)
Related
- Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
- Texas judge allows abortion for woman whose fetus has fatal disorder trisomy 18
- The UN secretary-general invoked ‘Article 99' to push for a Gaza ceasefire. What exactly is it?
- Georgia lawmakers send redrawn congressional map keeping 9-5 Republican edge to judge for approval
- Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
- Forest Whitaker's ex-wife, actress Keisha Nash, dead at 51: 'Most beautiful woman in the world'
- LeBron James scores 30 points, Lakers rout Pelicans 133-89 to reach tournament final
- Allies of Russian opposition leader Navalny post billboards asking citizens to vote against Putin
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- Palestinians crowd into ever-shrinking areas in Gaza as Israel’s war against Hamas enters 3rd month
Ranking
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- Adele praises influential women after being honored at THR’s Women in Entertainment gala
- Dump Bill Belichick? Once unthinkable move for Patriots might be sensible – yet still a stunner
- Tampa teen faces murder charge in mass shooting on Halloween weekend
- Bodycam footage shows high
- Tampa teen faces murder charge in mass shooting on Halloween weekend
- US touts new era of collaboration with Native American tribes to manage public lands and water
- Macron visits Notre Dame, marking 1-year countdown to reopening after the 2019 fire
Recommendation
Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
Israeli teen hostage freed by Hamas says her pet dog Bella was a huge help during captivity in Gaza tunnels
Last sentencings are on docket in 2020 plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
Movie Review: In ‘Poor Things,’ Emma Stone takes an unusual path to enlightenment
NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
Former Jacksonville Jaguars employee accused of stealing over $22 million to buy condo, cars and cryptocurrency
Applesauce recall linked to 64 children sick from high levels of lead in blood, FDA says
Dutch police arrest a Syrian accused of sexual violence and other crimes in Syria’s civil war