Isaac Hayes Estate Sues Donald Trump for Unauthorized Use of Song: Could Cost Him $3 Million

The legal battle between the estate of late singer Isaac Hayes and former President Donald Trump has escalated, with the estate filing a lawsuit against Trump for repeatedly using Hayes’ song “Hold on I’m Coming” without permission. Despite multiple warnings from the estate, Trump continued to play the song at his rallies, prompting the lawsuit which demands $3 million in licensing fees.

The lawsuit, which cites 134 counts, also requires Trump to cease and desist from playing any songs by Hayes, remove all related videos, and release an official statement acknowledging the unauthorized use of the song. Hayes’ family is not backing down, making it clear that if Trump does not comply with their demands by August 16, 2024, further legal action will be taken.

This is not the first time an artist has taken issue with Trump using their music without permission. Hayes’ family had previously expressed their disapproval of Trump’s use of the song, stating that they “would NEVER approve” of it being played at his rallies. Despite these warnings, Trump continued to use the song, leading to the current legal battle.

If Trump does not comply with the demands of the lawsuit, the estate warns that the licensing fees could increase significantly if litigation ensues. This case serves as a reminder to public figures to respect the intellectual property rights of artists and obtain proper permissions before using their work.