Current:Home > MarketsJack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song -Wealth Harmony Labs
Jack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song
View
Date:2025-04-16 13:20:14
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! (12)
Related
- NCAA hits former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh with suspension, show-cause for recruiting violations
- Mary Lou Retton received $459,324 in donations. She and her family won't say how it's being spent.
- A fire in a Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh guts more than 1,000 shelters
- Trevor Lawrence injury updates: Jaguars QB active for Week 18 game vs. Titans
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- AFC South playoff scenarios: Will Jaguars clinch, or can Texans and Colts win division?
- Shop These Jaw-Dropping Home Deals for Finds up to 60% Off That Will Instantly Upgrade Your Space
- Baltimore Ravens' Jadeveon Clowney shows what $750,000 worth of joy looks like
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- How the Golden Globes is bouncing back after past controversies
Ranking
- Carolinas bracing for second landfall from Tropical Storm Debby: Live updates
- Judge blocks Trump lawyers from arguing about columnist’s rape claim at upcoming defamation trial
- 24 nifty tips to make 2024 even brighter
- Trevor Lawrence injury updates: Jaguars QB active for Week 18 game vs. Titans
- Organizers cancel Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna over fears of an attack
- From eerily prescient to wildly incorrect, 100-year-old predictions about 2024
- How to watch the Golden Globes, including the red carpet and backstage interviews
- Offensive lineman Seth McLaughlin commits to Ohio State after leaving Alabama for transfer portal
Recommendation
'Stranger Things' prequel 'The First Shadow' is headed to Broadway
Former Raiders linebacker Jack Squirek, best known for Super Bowl 18 pick-six, dies at 64
Death toll rises to 5 in hospital fire in northern Germany
The Bloodcurdling True Story Behind Killers of the Flower Moon
Sonya Massey's family keeps eyes on 'full justice' one month after shooting
Polish farmers suspend their blockade at the Ukrainian border after a deal with the government
Norwegian mass killer attempts to sue the state once more for an alleged breach of human rights
Lions' Sam LaPorta sets record for most receptions by rookie tight end