Trump Faces Another Legal Battle After His Latest Mistake

Donald Trump has faced yet another setback in the use of music at his campaign rallies, as the family of Isaac Hayes has filed a lawsuit accusing him of copyright infringement. The legal action was formally announced on Sunday, presenting a serious challenge to the Republican presidential candidate.

The lawsuit comprises an extensive 134 counts of copyright infringement, specifically related to Trump’s use of Hayes’s classic song “Hold On I’m Coming” at numerous campaign events held from 2022 to 2024.

Isaac Hayes III, the son of the late musician, took to social media to make the family’s demands clear. They seek an immediate end to the use of the song, the removal of any related video content, a public acknowledgment of the copyright infringement, and a payment of $3 million in licensing fees by August 16, 2024. In his message, Hayes III warned that failure to comply would lead to further legal repercussions.

Hayes III emphasized that his family had made multiple requests for Trump, his team, and the Republican National Committee (RNC) to respect their rights by ceasing the use of the song, but those requests were ignored. He expressed his disdain for Trump, stating that the former president embodies “the worst in integrity and class” due to his past behavior and rhetoric.

The family has formally issued a cease-and-desist order regarding the continued use of “Hold On I’m Coming” and has demanded that Trump and the RNC erase all videos that feature the track. Additionally, they are calling for a statement affirming that no authorization was ever given for the song’s use.

According to legal documents made available by the estate, the $3 million figure outlined in the lawsuit represents a significantly discounted fee. It was noted that pursuing litigation could escalate the normal fee for such infringements to $150,000 per occurrence, potentially multiplying the cost considerably.

Trump has a deadline to respond to the legal notice by Friday, after which the family has indicated their intent to move forward with litigation if necessary.

The legal troubles didn’t stop there for the Trump campaign over the weekend. Celine Dion’s representatives took to Instagram to clarify that the use of her iconic song “My Heart Will Go On” at a recent rally in Montana was neither approved nor endorsed by the singer or her team. Their response included a hint of disbelief questioning the appropriateness of that particular song being used by Trump.

This situation highlights an ongoing trend, as Hayes and Dion are among a considerable list of artists who have actively withdrawn their rights for Trump to use their music. Other prominent musicians who have disassociated from the former president include Sinéad O’Connor, The Beatles, Adele, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Guns N’ Roses, Leonard Cohen, Queen, Prince, Pharrell Williams, The Rolling Stones, Johnny Marr of The Smiths, Rihanna, Neil Young, Linkin Park, the late Tom Petty, the Village People, and Steven Tyler of Aerosmith.

This ongoing challenge reflects the broader sentiment among many musicians who object to Trump’s political rhetoric and actions, which they view as contrary to their values and message. As legal actions unfold and more musicians speak out, it remains to be seen how this will impact Trump’s campaign as he continues his bid for the presidency.