he family of Isaac Hayes is the latest addition to the list of musical artists threatening a copyright infringement lawsuit against presidential candidate Donald Trump. The Hayes family issued a notice to Trump demanding that his campaign pay $3 million in licensing fees for the unauthorized use of Hayes’ “Hold On, I’m Comin’” during his campaign rallies. The notice also demands that the campaign immediately cease all use of “Hold On, I’m Coming” including removal of all campaign videos using the song, and that the campaign issue a public disclaimer regarding its unauthorized use by the end of the week. If those demands aren’t met, the Hayes family threatens to file a lawsuit for 134 counts of copyright infringement for unlawful use of the song over the past two years. The lawsuit will seek up to $150,000.00 for each of the 134 counts of infringement.
“Hold On, I’m Coming,” released in 1966, was a defining moment in Isaac Hayes’ career. The song famously performed by soul duo Sam & Dave, is co-written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter. “Hold On, I’m Coming” is a hallmark of soul music and has cemented its place in music history for decades. Trump’s use of the song in his campaign playlist raised several questions about whether Hayes’ music, often associated with messages of resilience and empowerment, aligns with the political messages and rhetoric of Trump’s rallies. According to Hayes’ family, the juxtaposition of Hayes’ soulful anthem with Trump’s often divisive speeches seems at odds with the original intent of the song. Hayes’ son, Isaac Hayes III took to Instagram stating “Donald Trump epitomizes a lack of integrity and class, not only through his continuous use of my father’s music without permission but also through his history of sexual abuse against women and his racist rhetoric[…]. This behavior will no longer be tolerated, and we will take swift action to put an end to it.” This isn’t the first time the Hayes family has condemned Trump’s use of “Hold On, I’m Coming.” In 2022, the Hayes family criticized Trump for using the song at a National Rifle Association convention less than a week after the Uvalde school shooting where 19 students died. Co-writer David Porter also wrote that he “did not and would not approve of [the Trump campaign] using the song for any of [Trump’s] purposes.”
The list of artists opposing Trump’s use of their music includes Celine Dion, Adele, the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, Beyonce, Elton John, Earth, Wind & Fire, Prince, and many others. Although some artists do not have standing to pursue legal action, the Hayes family is seemingly committed to seeking justice for Isaac Hayes’ legacy.
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