A federal judge in Atlanta has issued a ruling requiring Donald Trump and his campaign to cease using the song “Hold On, I’m Coming” while the family of one of the song’s co-writers pursues legal action against the former president over its use. The estate of Isaac Hayes Jr. filed a lawsuit recently, alleging that Trump, his campaign, and several associates had violated its copyright and should be liable for damages.
Isaac Hayes Jr. and David Porter co-wrote “Hold On, I’m Coming,” a popular hit for the soul duo Sam and Dave back in 1966. Following a hearing related to the estate’s request for an emergency preliminary injunction, U.S. District Judge Thomas Thrash ruled in favor of halting Trump’s use of the song. However, the judge denied a plea to compel the campaign to remove any existing videos containing the song.
During a press briefing after the hearing, Ronald Coleman, an attorney representing Trump, stated that the campaign had already agreed to discontinue using the song in the future. He emphasized that the campaign does not wish to cause harm or annoyance and respects the concerns raised by the Hayes family.
Coleman expressed gratitude for the judge’s decision not to mandate the removal of the song from the campaign’s existing videos at this stage in the legal proceedings. Isaac Hayes III, the son of Isaac Hayes Jr., expressed his appreciation and happiness for the judge’s ruling. He hopes that this case will inspire other artists to speak up against the unauthorized use of their music by Donald Trump or other political entities, advocating for the rights of music artists and copyright protection.
There have been multiple instances of artists and their heirs objecting to Trump using their songs at his events. Following a Trump campaign rally in Bozeman, Montana, where a video featuring Celine Dion performing “My Heart Will Go On” was played without authorization, Dion’s team clarified that she did not endorse the use of her song. Moreover, prior to the 2020 election, various artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna, Phil Collins, Pharrell, John Fogerty, Neil Young, Eddy Grant, Panic! at the Disco, R.E.M., and Guns N’ Roses all raised objections to Trump utilizing their music.
