Isaac Hayes" family sues Trump campaign over song use in court

The family of Isaac Hayes is taking legal action against the Trump campaign for the unauthorized use of the song 'Hold On, I’m Coming' at campaign events. The Hayes estate is seeking an emergency injunction to halt the use of the song, claiming that the campaign has not secured a valid public performance license. They demand the cessation of use, removal of related videos, a public disclaimer, and $3 million in licensing fees by August 16, 2024. Failure to comply will lead to further legal action. Hayes III expressed his concerns about the association of his father's music with Donald Trump, citing the former president's derogatory remarks about women, particularly Black women. He emphasized that his father would not have wanted his music used in a campaign by someone who speaks in such a manner. The estate alleges that the Trump campaign began using the song in 2020 and has continued to do so into 2024, as evidenced by its use at recent rallies. In response to the lawsuit, attorneys for the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee argue that the Hayes estate does not hold the license for the song. Hayes III has publicly shared a letter from BMI, indicating that the Trump campaign has not had a valid license for the song for nearly 100 days, contradicting their claims of having one. This legal battle marks a significant moment as the Hayes estate is the first to challenge the Trump campaign over music licensing issues, although other artists have raised similar complaints in the past. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how music rights are handled in political campaigns.