Late Isaac Hayes' family sues Trump for $3M for ‘stealing’ his song for rallies despite repeated warnings

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: The family of late soul legend Isaac Hayes is filing a $3 million lawsuit against President Donald Trump after repeated pleas to stop "stealing" the singers' iconic hit 'Hold On (I’m Coming)' and using it at his rallies.

The lawsuit now lists 134 counts of copyright infringement, spanning from 2022 to 2024 with the GOP presidential nominee often seen dancing along to the tune at his campaign events, The Daily Beast reported.

Isaac Hayes' family asks Donald Trump to pay up in 5 days or face legal action

Isaac Hayes III, the son of the 'Do Your Thing' musician, announced the legal action on Sunday, August 11, frustrated by Trump’s blatant disregard for copyright law.

The family's attorney, James Walker Jr, stated they are giving the twice-impeached former president “five days to pay or we will push ahead with legal action".

He explained that the family had asked Trump to stop a year ago, “and a year before that,” only to be met with silence.

“The family keeps asking him not to play the music,” said Walker, before adding, “They don’t want people to think he’s endorsing Trump. They are opposed to somebody stealing their music.” 

Isaac Hayes' son slams Donald Trump

The final straw came last weekend, on the anniversary of Isaac Hayes’ death, when Donald Trump played the song at a Friday night rally in Bozeman, Montana. This was just days after the song was used at another Trump rally in Atlanta, prompting Hayes to vent his anger on social media.

“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,” he penned.

“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,” he added.

Trump was criticized for the same rally by Celine Dion’s team for unauthorized use of her hit song 'My Heart Will Go On'.

While slamming Trump for the use of Dion's son, the iconic singer's team asked, "…And really, THAT song?"  

On August 4, Hayes had expressed his frustration again over the song being played at a Trump rally in Atlanta that weekend. “Once again, the estate and family of @isaachayes DID NOT approve the use of ‘Hold on I’m Coming’ written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter by Donald Trump tonight in Atlanta,” the music legend’s son said.

Isaac Hayes' family feels Donald Trump is exploiting song for political gain

In the lawsuit, the 'Help Me Love' singer's family is demanding “the cessation of use, removal of all related videos, a public disclaimer, and payment of $3 million in licensing fees by August 16, 2024." They’ve made it clear that "failure to comply will result in further legal action."

“They care about the music being played in front of thousands of people... without any permission, he should be paying this family substantial money to play his music,” claimed Walker Jr. “We’ve documented all the uses... We’ll start takedown notices on YouTube if he doesn’t take it down.”

Hayes detailed how the family took control of the song’s copyright in 2022 and "chose not" to sell it to other entities. “Imagine asking someone to stop playing a song your family legally owns for 2 years and they just keep on doing it,” he said.

“We are the ones that own the copyright... think about that. Typically in these situations it goes a little differently because there are publishing companies involved and everybody wants to remain neutral, but I don’t have to act like that, I don’t need to follow those rules.”

The lawsuit has drawn attention from other artists as well, with musicians like Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Rihanna, and the estates of Prince and Tom Petty, previously calling out Trump for using their work without permission. 

Netizens react to Isaac Hayes' family suing Donald Trump

Donald Trump’s latest controversy over the unauthorized use of Isaac Hayes’ iconic song has spread on social media like wildfire.

"Suing Trump? Get in line and good luck!" tweeted one social media user.

"Seems like a lot of people don't want to be associated with the orange turd. And they're biting him where it hurts: his bank account. Good!" added another.

"He pissed off Celine Dion too!" one person commented.

"This happens to every Republican. Every time. It's petty. The left clutches their pearls," another remarked.

"What a pity. I went to YouTube to listen to this song about a dozen times and was proud of its Memphis roots. Now, not so much," penned one person.

"Someone always wanting to win the ghetto lottery," chimed another.

"Suing the guy who wants to bring back law & order to s**t hole cities like crime infested Memphis. These lawless fools are supporting the party who’s destroying their families. Please help it make sense!!" said one individual.

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