Judge Bars Trump from Playing Isaac Hayes' Music at Rallies
In a recent legal development, a federal judge has ruled that former President Donald Trump must cease using the song “Hold On, I’m Coming” at his campaign rallies. This ruling comes in response to a lawsuit filed by the family of Isaac Hayes, the late soul singer and composer, who co-wrote the iconic track with David Porter in 1966. The song, popularized by the soul duo Sam & Dave, has been used frequently by Trump's campaign at various events.
Judge Thomas Thrash issued a temporary injunction, effectively prohibiting Trump's campaign from playing the song until the court case is fully resolved. However, the judge did not order the removal of existing videos that feature the song, a decision welcomed by Trump's legal team. Ronald Coleman, an attorney for the Trump campaign, expressed satisfaction that the court recognized the First Amendment issues at play and did not mandate the removal of past recordings. Coleman also hinted at the possibility of settling the case before it proceeds to trial.
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Isaac Hayes III, the son of the late artist, praised the ruling, asserting that it aligns with the family's stance on distancing Isaac Hayes' legacy from Trump's political activities. Hayes III emphasized that the case is not about politics but rather about maintaining the integrity of his father's work. He expressed hope that this decision would encourage other artists to take action if their music is used in ways they do not support.
The legal battle began after Hayes’ estate claimed that Trump's campaign used the song on at least 134 occasions without proper licensing, and sought $3 million in damages for the unauthorized use. The Trump campaign, in its defense, argued that the Hayes estate did not hold the necessary rights to the song, a claim disputed by Hayes' legal team.
This case is part of a broader trend where artists are challenging the use of their music by political campaigns. Notable musicians and bands, including Abba, the Foo Fighters, and Celine Dion, have recently voiced objections to their music being used by various political figures, including Trump. Legal disputes over unauthorized music use are not uncommon and can often take years to resolve, as seen in other ongoing cases involving Trump and music rights.
The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how political campaigns handle music licensing and might influence how other artists address similar issues in the future. For now, Trump’s campaign will need to find new musical choices for their rallies as the legal proceedings continue.
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