Isaac Hayes’ estate settles with Donald Trump over unauthorised use of song
Isaac Hayes‘ estate has finally reached a settlement with President Donald Trump over the unauthorised use of his song ‘Hold On, I’m Coming’ at politically affiliated events.
In 2024, Hayes’ estate sued Trump for $3 million over the use of the 1966 hit song. The suit cited at least 133 instances in which it was played at campaign events by the Trump team.
Although the late R&B star isn’t the performer of ‘Hold On, I’m Coming’, which was initially recorded by Sam & Dave for Stax Records, he did write the composition. Therefore, his estate has ownership of the song.
In 2024, Hayes’ son, Isaac Hayes III, hit out at Trump on social media, writing, “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.”
In response, Trump’s team retaliated that the usage of the song was covered under a political entity’s license obtained through BMI.
However, Hayes’ estate fired back, revoking any licensing permission after Trump began using the song at rallies in 2020, which was ignored by the politician.
Although the specific terms of the new settlement were not disclosed, Hayes’ estate released a statement that posited, “This resolution represents more than the conclusion of a legal matter.”
It continued, “It reaffirms the importance of protecting intellectual property rights and copyrights, especially as they relate to legacy, ownership, and the responsible use of creative works. Isaac Hayes, Jr. dedicated his life to his craft, and his contributions to music and culture carry enduring value.”
Later, the statement added, “Protecting ownership is not only about the past, it is about preserving dignity, value, and accountability for future generations.”
Hayes does not represent the first musician to retaliate against the Trump administration for the unauthorised use of their song at political events. At the end of 2024, The White Stripes united to sue Trump for the use of their hit song, ‘Seven Nation Army’. However, the lawsuit was dropped not two months later.
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