Trump faces emergency hearing over unauthorized use of Isaac Hayes song

A federal judge in Georgia has granted the estate of songwriter Isaac Hayes an emergency hearing to address allegations that presidential candidate Donald Trump has been using the 1966 song “Hold On, I’m Comin'” at campaign events without permission.

Earlier this month, the Hayes estate demanded $3 million for Trump’s unauthorized use of the hit song through a cease-and-desist letter. Isaac Hayes Enterprises LLC claimed that the song has been played over a hundred times at Trump rallies since 2022, always without the necessary legal rights. They also noted that the campaign made no efforts to obtain a usage license.

Hayes’ son, Isaac Hayes III, highlighted the issue on August 10, following a Trump rally in Bozeman, Montana, the previous day.

“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 Comin” written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter during campaign rallies but yet again, in Montana they used it,” Hayes III wrote.

He further remarked that Trump represents “the worst in integrity and class with his disrespect and sexual abuse of women and racist rhetoric.”

Six days later, Isaac Hayes Enterprises LLC filed a $3 million lawsuit against Trump, alleging that the former president “unlawfully profited off [Hayes’] reputation and identity” by using the song at rallies in violation of federal law. The complaint listed 134 counts of copyright infringement and demanded compensation for unpaid licensing fees.

U.S. District Judge Thomas W. Thrash Jr., appointed by Bill Clinton, granted the plaintiff’s motion for an emergency hearing, scheduling the appearance for September 3 at 10 a.m. The hearing will not be live-streamed, according to the docket order.

Hayes III posted on Saturday that Trump, the RNC, Trump for President Inc. 2024, Turning Point USA, and the NRA are required to appear in court for the hearing.

At the hearing, the court will consider the plaintiff’s request for a preliminary injunction to stop Trump from continuing the actions referenced in the complaint. The Hayes estate highlighted a particular irony in their filing:

“Specifically, and ironically, Trump has spent a lifetime and well over 60 years protecting, expanding and building the Trump name goodwill and brand that his father left him, but refuses to honor, respect, and pay for the name, brand, goodwill, intellectual property, and business that was left to the Hayes family by their father,” the filing stated.

Trump has been known for using popular music without authorization during his presidential campaigns. This summer, Celine Dion criticized Trump for playing “My Heart Will Go On” without permission. Other artists, including Beyoncé, Foo Fighters, Neil Young, Aerosmith, Tom Petty, the Rolling Stones, Prince, Linkin Park, Guns N’ Roses, and Journey, have made similar claims.

In an email, attorney James L. Walker, Jr., representing the Hayes Estate and Hayes III, expressed gratitude that the court granted the emergency hearing motion.

“We look forward to seeing Mr. Trump and his representatives in Federal Court on September 3rd,” said Walker. “Thou Shalt Not Steal!”

There was no immediate response from representatives for Trump regarding requests for comment.

Source: AP News, MediaPunch, Isaac Hayes Enterprises LLC