The White Stripes Sue Donald Trump for Infringing on ‘Seven Nation Army’

Musicians Jack White and Meg White, known for their 2000s rock band The White Stripes, have initiated legal action against former President Donald Trump. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in New York, alleges that Trump, along with his deputy director of communications and the Trump campaign, used their iconic 2003 song “Seven Nation Army” in a video without permission.

The lawsuit specifies that it seeks to rectify Trump’s “flagrant misappropriation” of the track, which is widely regarded as one of the most influential musical compositions of all time. Jack White took to Instagram to share the first page of the lawsuit, captioning it with the phrase, “This machine sues fascists.”

The controversy centers around social media posts believed to have been made on August 29, which reportedly showcased a video of Trump boarding a plane for campaign events in Michigan and Wisconsin. The unmistakable riff of “Seven Nation Army” was played in the background.

According to the lawsuit, neither Trump nor his campaign reached out for a license to use the song. The plaintiffs assert that even if a request had been made, they would have denied it. They emphasize their disapproval, stating they do not wish to be associated with Trump or his campaign in any way.

The lawsuit also mentions that the Trump campaign neglected attempts to amicably resolve the dispute before legal action became necessary, asserting that their actions contravened federal copyright laws. Jack White and Meg White are being represented by Robert A. Jacobs, a New York attorney specializing in intellectual property and entertainment law.

White had previously expressed his discontent with the Trump campaign using “Seven Nation Army.” On the same day as the alleged unauthorized use, he issued a warning on Instagram, stating, “Don’t even think about using my music, you fascists.”

This isn’t the first instance of the Trump campaign utilizing the White Stripes’ music. The song’s use in a 2016 campaign ad drew similar ire from the band. Following that incident, The White Stripes released a statement on Facebook denouncing the use of their work, asserting they had “nothing whatsoever to do with this video” and expressing their disgust over the association. As a form of protest, White and his record label, Third Man Records, even produced merchandise featuring the phrase “Icky Trump,” a play on the title of their 2007 album “Icky Thump.”

The shirt showcased lyrics from “Icky Thump,” emphasizing White’s disapproval of Trump’s political stance and highlighting cultural discussions around immigration.

The controversy surrounding the unauthorized use of songs is not limited to the White Stripes. Numerous artists and estates have publicly objected to their music being used by the Trump campaign. Notable among them are the Foo Fighters, Celine Dion, and Adele. The estate of Sinéad O’Connor and other prominent musicians like Beyoncé and R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe have also voiced their discontent.

In a recent instance, the Foo Fighters made headlines when their song “My Hero” was played at a Trump rally in Arizona. A representative for the band clarified that they had not granted permission for its use, and if approached, they would have declined. The band committed to donating any royalties received due to the unauthorized usage to Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign.

The Trump campaign has asserted that they obtained a license to use “My Hero” from BMI’s Songview service, but the controversy highlights ongoing tensions between musicians and political figures regarding the rights and permissions related to music usage.

The legal action taken by Jack White and Meg White brings forth notable questions regarding artistic ownership and the implications of unauthorized usage in political contexts. As the legal proceedings unfold, it underscores the broader conversation surrounding music, politics, and personal expression.

Source: Nashville Tennessean