It’s safe to say that it doesn’t take a mind reader to guess the politics of the family of the late soul singer Isaac Hayes.
The Hayes family filed a $3 million lawsuit against former President Donald Trump’s campaign Sunday, alleging copyright infringement over the use of the musical icon’s song “Hold On, I’m Coming” at rallies.
The suit cites 134 uses of the song at rallies from 2022 through this year, in asking for $3 million in damages.
“It has come to our attention that you or the campaign have authorized the illegal public performance of the Song on multiple occasions during various rallies for your political campaign without authorization from the copyright holder, despite being asked repeatedly not to engage in such illegal use by our client,” the filing reads.
The suit also demands the Trump campaign remove any video that includes the song in the background, and issue an acknowledgment of wrongdoing and an apology.
Isaac Hayes III announced the legal action one day after accusing Trump of “racism” in a post on X.
“Today, on the anniversary of my father Isaac Hayes death we repeatedly asked Donald Trump, the RNC and his representatives not to use ‘Hold on I’m Coming’ written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter during campaign rallies but yet again, in Montana they used it. Donald Trump represents the worst in integrity and class with his disrespect and sexual abuse of Women and racist rhetoric. We will now deal with this very swiftly,” Hayes posted.
Today, on the anniversary of my father @isaachayes death we have repeatedly asked Donald Trump, the RNC and his representatives not to use “Hold on I’m Coming” written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter during campaign rallies but yet again, in Montana they used it.
Donald Trump…
— Isaac Hayes III (@IsaacHayes3) August 10, 2024
Celine Dion recently denounced the use of her “My Heart Will Go On” video at Trump’s rally in Montana, according to The Hill.
“In no way is this use authorized and Celine Dion does not endorse this or any similar use … and really, THAT song?” the singer said.
Interestingly, Hayes felt compelled to respond to a claim that the rights to the song are held by Atlantic and managed by BMI and that Trump can play it as much as he wants:
Think again. Lol
— Isaac Hayes III (@IsaacHayes3) August 10, 2024
Here’s a quick sampling of other responses to the story, as seen on X:
You signed over control of the catalog in order to profit from it. If you didn’t want the songs used to make money you shouldn’t have done that.
Unless they are doing something illegal you are just virtue signaling because you think supporting Trump will hurt the music catalog…
— Joshua (@JoshMongan1) August 11, 2024
You can ask all you want but if you don’t hold ownership in the form of a Master License, there’s nothing you can do.
— JimmyCricketsss (@JimmyCricketssz) August 10, 2024
Is this the only way you can get attention? Off the memory of your dad whom I’m sure MANY Trump supporters were fans of. Leaving me an ick feeling now when I hear that song.
— Lee Cunningham (@bbleepcun1960) August 10, 2024
Are you refusing to take royalty payments from him as people of integrity
— Allan Siegel (@realAllanSiegel) August 10, 2024
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Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
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