Current:Home > reviewsJack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song -MoneyTrend
Jack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song
View
Date:2025-04-17 06:01:56
Another musician is objecting to the Trump campaign's use of their work.
Jack White on Thursday threatened legal action against former President Donald Trump's team after the deputy director of communications for his 2024 presidential campaign allegedly posted a video of Trump boarding a plane to the tune of The White Stripes' iconic 2003 track "Seven Nation Army." The video, which White posted a screen recording of on Instagram, appears to have been taken down.
"President @realDonaldTrump departs for Michigan and Wisconsin!" Margo Martin's X post read, per White's screen recording.
"Oh....Don't even think about using my music you fascists," White wrote in the caption of his post. "Law suit coming from my lawyers about this (to add to your 5 thousand others.) Have a great day at work today Margo Martin."
White also castigated Trump for an altercation between a public affairs official and members of the Trump campaign at Arlington National Cemetery yesterday. Though federal law states political activities are not permitted on cemetery grounds, Trump's team was reportedly photographing and filming at the site.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
He called out the Republican presidential candidate "for insulting our nation's veterans at Arlington you scum. You should lose every military family's vote immediately from that if ANYTHING makes sense anymore."
USA TODAY reached out to the Trump campaign and White's reps for comment.
Who's spoken out?Trump keeps dancing as artists get outraged over use of their songs
Céline Dion, Foo Fighters have also spoken out against Trump campaign
The former White Stripes frontman is the latest in a string of artists who have distanced themselves from Trump's presidential run after his campaign used their music in rallies and videos.
Céline Dion ("My Heart Will Go On"), Foo Fighters ("My Hero"), the estate of Sinéad O'Connor ("Nothing Compares 2 U") and the family of songwriter Isaac Hayes (Sam & Dave's "Hold On, I'm Comin'") are among those who have denounced the use of their work.
Some, but not all, have threatened legal action.
After the Trump campaign played "Hold On, I'm Comin'" at rallies, Hayes' son, Isaac Hayes III, filed a copyright infringement notice, which was issued to Trump and demanded a payment of $3 million in licensing fees.
"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," Hayes III wrote on Instagram. "This behavior will no longer be tolerated, and we will take swift action to put an end to it."
The Hayes family's lawyer claims Trump "willfully and brazenly" committed copyright infringement and has continued to use the song "despite being asked repeatedly not to engage in such illegal use" by the family.
After "My Hero" was played at Trump's Arizona rally with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. last week, a representative for the Foo Fighters told USA TODAY the band was not asked for permission, and if they were it would not have been granted. The rock band vowed to donate "any royalties received as a result of this use will be donated" to Democratic candidate Kamala Harris' presidential campaign.
Contributing: Taijuan Moorman
veryGood! (5569)
Related
- Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
- Olivia Munn and John Mulaney Welcome Baby No. 2
- Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen Share Professional Update in Rare Interview
- Lady Gaga Details Her Harley Quinn Transformation for Joker: Folie à Deux
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- New Federal Housing Grants Are a Win for Climate Change and Environmental Justice
- Kyle Larson dominates at Bristol, four Cup drivers eliminated from NASCAR playoffs
- FBI boards ship in Baltimore managed by same company as the Dali, which toppled bridge
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- Alaska Airlines grounds flights at Seattle briefly due to tech outage
Ranking
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- Junior college student fatally shot after altercation on University of Arizona campus
- Lizzo addresses Ozempic rumor, says she's 'fine both ways' after weight loss
- Cowboys' reeling defense faces tall order: Stopping No. 1-ranked Ravens offense
- Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
- AIT Community: AlphaStream AI For Your Smart Investment Assistant
- Proof Gisele Bündchen's Boyfriend Joaquim Valente Is Bonding With Her and Tom Brady's Kids
- IndyCar finalizes charter system that doesn’t guarantee spots in Indianapolis 500
Recommendation
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
Unique Advantages of NAS Community — Unlock Your Path to Wealth
Latest effort to block school ratings cracks Texas districts’ once-united front
Flash Back and Forward to See the Lost Cast Then and Now
Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ scares off ‘Transformers’ for third week as box office No. 1
Boy abducted from California in 1951 at age 6 found alive on East Coast more than 70 years later
Who plays on Monday Night Football? Breaking down Week 3 matchups