Former President Donald Trump has been banned from using the legendary soul song “Hold On, I’m Coming” during his campaign activities. This result followed a federal judge’s order in response to a lawsuit filed by the song’s late co-writer, Isaac Hayes’ estate.
The song, co-written by Isaac Hayes, who died in 2008, had become a regular at Trump rallies, including his walkout from the 2016 Republican National Convention. However, the Hayes estate claimed that Trump’s continuous use of the material was copyright infringement, resulting in a court struggle.
On Tuesday, September 3, U.S. District Judge Thomas Thrash ordered a temporary injunction preventing Trump from using the song at future events.
According to reports, the judge dismissed a plea to order the removal of existing videos featuring the track.
The late songwriter’s son, Isaac Hayes III, expressed delight with the court’s judgment stating that “Donald Trump has been barred from ever playing the music of Isaac Hayes again. I couldn’t ask for a better decision,” he told reporters.
He urged other artists who reject their music’s use in political circumstances to take a similar legal stand for their rights.
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Ronald Coleman, an attorney representing Trump, described the decision as “a wash,” noting that the campaign had already agreed to stop using “Hold On, I’m Coming.” Coleman stated, “The campaign has no interest in annoying or hurting anyone, and if the Hayes family feels that it hurts or annoys them, that’s fine, we’re not going to force the issue.”
He also mentioned the campaign was pleased that the judge did not order all existing videos to be removed.
Isaac Hayes III revealed that the dispute has been ongoing for four years. He recounted that he expressed disapproval when Trump played “Hold On, I’m Coming” at a National Rifle Association (NRA) convention shortly after the Uvalde mass shooting in 2022. The Hayes estate sent Trump a cease-and-desist letter, but the song continued to be used.
Hayes III clarified that his objection is not politically motivated, but rather an issue of character. “I’ve never wanted this song to be associated with Donald Trump in the manner that he was using it,” he told reporters.
Citing his father’s principles and Trump’s inflammatory remarks, particularly concerning women, Hayes underlined the importance of distancing the music from someone of Trump’s reputation.
James L. Walker Jr., counsel for the Hayes estate, stated that attempts are still underway to delete all videos including the song. He expressed confidence that the videos would be removed once they went to trial, proving that no license was ever issued for Trump’s usage of the song.
James L. Walker Jr., counsel for the Hayes estate, stated that attempts are still underway to delete all videos including the song. He expressed confidence that the videos would be removed once they went to trial, proving that no license was ever issued for Trump’s usage of the song.
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This case is part of a larger pattern in which musicians like as Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna, Neil Young, and Céline Dion have filed lawsuits or expressed opposition to Trump’s use of their music at campaign events.
Click On the link to see the complete list of over 30 artists who have warned or taken legal actions against Trump to stop using their songs at his rallies.
