The Estate of Isaac Hayes is suing former President Donald Trump for unauthorized use of the late singer’s songs at campaign rallies.
Lawyers for Isaac Hayes Enterprises identified 134 uses of Hayes’ “Hold On, I’m Coming” at Trump rallies from 2022 to the present.
“We are demanding cessation of use, removal of all related videos, a public disclaimer and payment of $3 million in licensing fees by August 16, 2024. Failure to comply will result in further legal action,” the family said in a statement. note that the dollar amount was “a heavily discounted fee” given the number of times the song had been used.
“The normal fee for these violations will be 10 times that if we litigate, starting at $150,000 per use,” it said.
Trump has been repeatedly asked by bands and artists, such as Adele and The Rolling Stones, to stop using their material since his first presidential campaign.
“It’s very unfortunate that these artists have posted publicly on their social media asking Team Trump and other candidates not to use their music — and yet their candidates continue to use their music,” James L. Walker Jr., an attorney for Hayes Enterprises , previously said.
Celine Dion has similar condemned the “unauthorized” use of “My Heart Will Go On” at Trump events this campaign cycle.
“Hold On, I’m Coming” was released in 1966 by R&B duo Sam & Dave. Hayes co-wrote the song with David Porter.
Hayes died in 2008; he was 65.
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