Isaac Hayes' Family Demands Trump Cease Use of Song and Pay Licensing Fees

The family of late soul musician Isaac Hayes is taking legal action against former President Donald Trump for unauthorized use of his song "Hold On, I’m Comin’" at campaign rallies. They are demanding $3 million in licensing fees and have threatened to pursue 134 counts of copyright infringement. Hayes' son, Isaac III, publicly criticized Trump, labeling him a racist and sexual abuser unworthy of representing his father's legacy. Despite repeated requests from the Hayes family to stop using the song, the Trump campaign has continued to feature it at rallies for the past two years. Family attorney James Walker Jr. stated that they have given Trump five days to comply with their demands or face legal action. He emphasized that the family does not want the public to perceive Trump as endorsing Hayes' music, which they believe is being exploited without permission. The lawsuit also seeks the removal of all videos featuring the song and a public disclaimer regarding its use. Walker Jr. expressed frustration over the lack of communication from the Trump campaign, noting that the family had previously requested the cessation of the song's use over the past two years. He warned that if the song is not taken down, they will initiate takedown notices on platforms like YouTube. As of now, a spokesperson for Trump has not responded to the family's demands or the ongoing controversy surrounding the use of Hayes' music at rallies.