Isaac Hayes' Heirs Sue Trump

Isaac Hayes’ heirs sue Trump.
For the unauthorized use of their musical rights.
Here are the details.

The family of iconic soul singer Isaac Hayes has filed a lawsuit against Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate in the U.S., for the unauthorized use of his music at campaign events.

Hayes’ heirs, who died in 2008, are seeking $3 million in compensation for the misuse of the song «Hold On, I’m Coming» at rallies held over the past two years.

In a statement published on the social network X, representatives of Isaac Hayes Enterprises, through the law firm Walker & Associates, announced the lawsuit against Trump and his campaign team.

The lawsuit includes 134 charges of copyright infringement and seeks an immediate cessation of the song’s use, the removal of all related videos, a public disclaimer, and the aforementioned payment of $3 million in licensing fees.

Isaac Hayes’ Heirs Sue Trump

We the family of @isaachayes Isaac Hayes Enterprises, represented by Walker & Associates, are suing @realDonaldTrump and his campaign for 134 counts copyright infringement for the unauthorized use of the song “Hold On I’m Coming” at campaign rallies from 2022-2024.

We demand… pic.twitter.com/GOBLz7ejYL

— Isaac Hayes III (@IsaacHayes3) August 11, 2024

The legal documentation was filed on August 11, and the heirs have expressed their willingness to undertake «federal litigation» if the situation is not rectified to their satisfaction.

«Rolling Stone» magazine reports that renowned artists such as Adele, Rihanna, the heirs of Sinead O’Connor, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, and The Rolling Stones have expressed their opposition to the use of their songs at political events since Trump launched his presidential bid in 2015.

Recently, Canadian singer Celine Dion also criticized the former president for using her famous ballad «My Heart Will Go On» at a rally.

Isaac Hayes, known for his groundbreaking work in the soul genre, died on August 10, 2008, at the age of 65.

One of Isaac Hayes’ most famous songs was on the Billboard Hot 100

His most famous composition, «Theme from Shaft,» earned him the Oscar for Best Original Song in 1972, making him the third black individual to receive an Academy Award in any competitive category, according to «Rolling Stone».

He was considered a major figure in the genre.

«Hold On, I’m Coming», written with David Porter, performed by the soul duo Sam & Dave, and released by Stax Records in 1966, reached number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Quite a curious controversy.