Current:Home > NewsJack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song -Secure Growth Solutions
Jack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song
View
Date:2025-04-13 05:22:31
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! (618)
Related
- Chief beer officer for Yard House: A side gig that comes with a daily swig.
- Facing an uncertain future, 70 endangered yellow-legged frogs released in California lake
- This year, Mama Stamberg's relish shares the table with cranberry chutney
- Former patients file complaints against Army amid sexual assault investigation of military doctor
- Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
- 2025 Toyota Camry: The car is going hybrid for the first time. What will be different?
- Google's latest AI music tool creates tracks using famous singers' voice clones
- 'Modern Family' reunion: See photos of the cast, including Sofía Vergara, Sarah Hyland
- Former Milwaukee hotel workers charged with murder after video shows them holding down Black man
- Central Park carriage driver charged with animal abuse after horse collapsed and died
Ranking
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- The bearer of good news? More pandas could return to US, Chinese leader Xi hints
- Dollywood temporarily suspends park entry due to nearby wildfire
- Demand for seafood is soaring, but oceans are giving up all they can. Can we farm fish in new ways?
- Tony Hawk drops in on Paris skateboarding and pushes for more styles of sport in LA 2028
- Adriana Lima Has the Ultimate Clapback to Critical Comments About Her Appearance
- AP Week in Pictures: Global | Nov. 10 - Nov. 16, 2023
- Is your $2 bill worth $2,400 or more? Probably not, but here are some things to check.
Recommendation
Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
Suspect in custody after a person was shot and killed outside court in Colorado Springs, police say
Stock market today: Asian stocks pulled lower by profit warnings and signs the US economy is slowing
How Tom Blyth and Rachel Zegler tell 'Hunger Games' origin tale without Katniss Everdeen
Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
Dollywood temporarily suspends park entry due to nearby wildfire
How Tom Blyth and Rachel Zegler tell 'Hunger Games' origin tale without Katniss Everdeen
New York judge lifts gag order that barred Donald Trump from maligning court staff in fraud trial