A legal fight between the estate of soul legend Isaac Hayes and Donald Trump has officially wrapped, closing out a copyright dispute that accused Trump’s 2020 and 2024 presidential campaigns of repeatedly using Hayes’ music without permission.
Stop, Or Else
The lawsuit centered on the classic song “Hold On, I’m Coming,” co-written by Hayes and David Porter and made famous by duo Sam & Dave in 1966. According to court filings, the Hayes estate alleged the track was played 133 times at campaign rallies and in related media across both the 2020 and 2024 election cycles without authorization. The estate originally sought damages reportedly in the millions, AP reported.
On Feb. 23, Hayes’ son Isaac Hayes III confirmed the case had been resolved, writing on social media that the family and estate had settled and “are satisfied with the outcome.” Terms of the agreement were not disclosed, which is common in intellectual property settlements involving high-profile figures.
The dispute had already produced a significant legal development in 2024 when a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction ordering the campaign to stop using the song at events or in promotional materials. Attorneys representing Trump said at the time that use of the track had already ceased before the ruling.
The Hayes case is part of a broader pattern that has followed Trump’s political career, with numerous artists objecting to the use of their music at rallies or in campaign messaging. Pharrell Williams sent Trump’s reps a cease-and-desist in 2018 after “Happy” was played political rally in Indiana just hours after the mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh where 11 people were killed. Neal Young sued over song use during campaigns. The Rolling Stones threatened legal action over repeated use of their songs. Guns N’ Roses spoke out about the use of “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” And the Prince estate has repeatedly demanded his music not be used.
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