The White Stripes drop lawsuit against Donald Trump
The White Stripes have dropped their federal lawsuit against Donald Trump. Previously, the band had filed against the now-president-elect for his use of ‘Seven Nation Army,’ but they’ve now dismissed the case.
The White Stripes’ battle against Trump began way back in 2016. When the politician first began using ‘Seven Nation Army’ in his first campaign, Jack White retaliated by selling T-shirts reading “Icky Trump” in reference to his song ‘Icky Thump’.
Since then, White has been vocal about his opposition to Trump. In 2020, he officially endorsed Bernie Sanders, and in 2022, he criticised Elon Musk for allowing Trump back onto Twitter/X.
But during the 2024 election, things heated up. When Trump once against used The White Stripes’ ‘Seven Nation Army’ on his campaign trail, White made his feelings known. “Oh….don’t even think about using my music, you fascists. Lawsuit coming from my lawyers about this (to add to your 5 thousand others)”, he wrote on social media.
White continued, “Have a great day at work today, Margo Martin. And as long as I’m here, a double fuck you DonOLD 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.”
The White Stripes joined countless other acts and estates criticising and condemning Trump’s use of their music, including Bruce Springsteen, Leonard Cohen, Sinéad O’Connor, Foo Fighters, ABBA and more. However, Jack White took their anger one step further by filing a federal lawsuit against the politician.
They filed their complaint against Trump and his aide Margo Martin, noting in the document that they “vehemently oppose the policies adopted and actions taken by Defendant Trump when he was President and those he has proposed for the second term he seeks.”
However, now that lawsuit has been withdrawn by The White Stripes. They’ve dismissed the case without prejudice, meaning they could choose to refile at a later date.
After Trump’s election, White took to social media to share his upset. “Trump won the popular vote. End of story. Americans chose a known, obvious fascist and now America will get whatever this wannabe dictator wants to enact from here on in,” he wrote. “We all know what he is capable of: Project 2025, deportations, nationwide abortion ban, ending his own 2 term limit, backing Putin and his war, shutting down the Board of Education, adding to climate change, limiting LGBTQ rights, controlling the DOJ, keeping the minimum wage down, etc. etc. etc.. Any or all of it.”
He concluded, “It’s absolutely dumbfounding that this con man succeeded in pulling the wool over so many Americans eyes not once, but twice.”
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out Music Newsletter
All the latest music news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.