Isaac Hayes’ family suing Donald Trump for using his music at campaign rallies

Another four years, another round of artists who are not happy with Donald Trump using their songs at his presidential campaign rallies.

The family of the late Isaac Hayes have filed a copyright infringement notice to Trump, demanding his campaign pay $3 million in licensing fees for “Hold On, I’m Comin’,” the Sam & Dave hit that was co-written by Hayes and David Porter. In the notice, which the family shared on Instagram on Saturday, says they are “suing Donald Trump and his campaign for 134 counts copyright infringement for the unauthorized use of the song “Hold On I’m Coming” at campaign rallies from 2022-2024…We demand the cessation of use, removal of all related videos, a public disclaimer, and payment of $3 million in licensing fees by August 16, 2024. Failure to comply will result in further legal action.”

“Donald Trump epitomizes a lack of integrity and class, not only through his continuous use of my father’s music without permission but also through his history of sexual abuse against women and his racist rhetoric,” Hayes son, Isaac Hayes III, wrote on Instagram on Saturday. “This behavior will no longer be tolerated, and we will take swift action to put an end to it.”

Meanwhile, Celine Dion (who recently performed at the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony) has decried Trump’s use of her Titanic hit “My Heart Will Go On” at a rally in Wisconsin. In a statement released via X/Twitter, her management wrote, “In no way is this use authorized, and Celine Dion does not endorse this or any similar use,” adding, “…And really, THAT song?”

Other similar complaints have been raised this year by Sinead O’Connor’s family and former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr.