Isaac Hayes Estate Seeks $3 Million After Trump Plays 'Hold On, I'm Comin' Without Permission
Isaac Hayes' estate is seeking $3 million from Donald Trump's campaign for unauthorized use of the song "Hold On, I'm Comin'" at political rallies. The cease-and-desist notice cites 134 counts of copyright infringement over the past two years.
Isaac Hayes at piano during performance
Isaac Hayes III, the late musician's son, emphasized that Trump's unauthorized use of his father's music, along with other controversial behaviors, will no longer be tolerated. The family's attorney, James Walker, states that the $3 million demand represents a "heavily discounted" fee given the frequency of use.
The estate demands that the Trump campaign:
- Immediately stop using the song
- Remove all videos featuring the track
- Issue a public disclaimer by Friday
If these demands aren't met, the estate plans to seek $150,000 in damages per unauthorized use through legal action. The Trump campaign faces similar restrictions from other prominent artists and estates, including Prince, Sinead O'Connor, Tom Petty, Brendon Urie, Johnny Marr, and Celine Dion.
Classical columns with historic building backdrop
The song "Hold On, I'm Comin'" was written by Hayes and David Porter, originally performed by Sam & Dave. Hayes passed away on August 10, 2008, but his estate continues to actively protect his musical legacy and intellectual property rights.
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