The estate of Isaac Hayes is suing Donald Trump for using the song “Hold On, I’m Coming” at his election rallies.
According to a Rolling Stone report, the federal court has scheduled an emergency hearing on the matter for September 3.
Hayes’ estate is claiming that Trump used the song 134 times without permission. Hayes’s son, Isaac Hayes III, said that the estate has explicitly barred the campaign from using the song and the family is owed around $3 million for all the unauthorized use.
He posted on X, “The Federal Court has granted our request for an Emergency Hearing to secure injunctive relief. Donald Trump, the RNC, Trump, Trump for President Inc. 2024. Turning Point and The NRA are required to appear in court September 3rd, 2024 at Northern U.S District Federal Court in Atlanta. See you in court.”
Donald Trump @realdonaldtrump & Team Trump has been served with our lawsuit and notice of the September 3, 2024 emergency hearing.
Represented by @jameslwalkeresq we will see Donald Trump, the @gop @nra and several others who have used Isaac Hayes copyright illegally over 134… pic.twitter.com/XezhwUgGg0
— Isaac Hayes III (@IsaacHayes3) August 25, 2024
The song was written by Hayes and David Porter and became a big hit in 1966. Hayes died on August 10, 2008. The song was sung by the famous duo Sam & Dave. It peaked at No 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Lawyers for Isaac Hayes Enterprises first filed a notice for copyright infringement on August 11 and threatened further legal action over the use of the song.
On August 10 Hayes wrote on X, “Today on the anniversary of my father Isaac Hayes death we have repeatedly asked Donald Trump, the RNC and his representatives not to use ‘Hold on I’m Coming’ written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter during campaign rallies but yet again, in Montana they used it.”
The next day Hayes wrote again on X stating, “We demand the cessation of use, removal of all related videos, a public disclaimer, and payment of $3 million in licensing fees by Aug 16, 2024. Failure to comply will result in further legal action.”
The lawyer for Hayes Enterprises, James L. Walker Jr said that it was highly unfortunate that despite the fact that artists have publicly posted on social media and asked Team Trump and other candidates not to use their music, they keep using their music.
Foo Fighters will also take action
On August 23, Foo Fighters also objected to Trump using their song “My Hero” when he welcomed Robert F. Kennedy Jr to the stage in Glendale, Arizona.
A spokesperson for the group said, “Foo Fighters were not asked permission, and if they were, they would not have granted it. Furthermore, “appropriate actions are being taken” against the campaign and any royalties received as a result of this usage will be donated to the Kamala Harris/Tim Walz campaign.