Trump campaign sued for using Isaac Hayes song

Trump Ordered to Stop Using Song “Hold On, I’m Coming” Amid Lawsuit

A federal judge in Atlanta recently issued a ruling that prohibits former President Donald Trump and his campaign from using the song “Hold On, I’m Coming” as the family of one of the song’s co-writers pursues legal action against Trump for unauthorized use.

The upbeat and iconic song, co-written by the late Isaac Hayes and David Porter, gained fame as a 1966 hit for the soul duo Sam & Dave. Sadly, Hayes passed away in 2008 at the age of 65, leaving behind a lasting musical legacy.

Upon hearing the judge’s ruling, Ronald Coleman, Trump’s attorney, confirmed to CBS News that the former president and his campaign had already ceased using the song in their events and videos, showing compliance with the court’s decision.

Isaac Hayes III, the son of Isaac Hayes, expressed his gratitude for the judge’s decision, highlighting the importance of protecting his father’s musical legacy from unauthorized use.

This is not the first time artists have taken issue with Trump using their songs without permission. Celine Dion, Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna, Phil Collins, Pharrell, and many others have voiced objections to their music being played at Trump’s events.

Earlier in 2022, David Porter, the co-writer of “Hold On, I’m Coming,” took to Twitter to denounce Trump’s use of the song at an NRA rally, emphasizing his disapproval of the former president’s actions.

Despite differing opinions among the artists involved, Tuesday’s ruling serves as a preliminary decision in an ongoing legal battle between the parties. The lawsuit alleges that Trump and his campaign used the song without proper permission, leading to economic damages for the plaintiffs.

Trump’s legal team argues that the song’s use falls under fair use principles and has no impact on the market value of the song. They have committed to refraining from playing the song at their events while the litigation is pending.

In response to the lawsuit, Sam Moore, one of the singers on “Hold On, I’m Coming,” emphasized the importance of preserving his own legacy associated with the song. Moore expressed concern that granting the wishes of Hayes’ estate might restrict his ability to perform the song at future events.

It remains a complex legal battle with various artists and estates involved, each seeking to protect their musical creations from unauthorized use for political purposes.

The ruling serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting intellectual property rights and obtaining proper licenses for the use of copyrighted material, even in a political context.