Current:Home > reviewsJack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song -QuantumFunds
Jack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song
View
Date:2025-04-16 12:46:10
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! (8873)
Related
- NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
- 'Live free and die?' The sad state of U.S. life expectancy
- You'll Be Crazy in Love With Beyoncé and Jay-Z's London Photo Diary
- Trump’s Fuel Efficiency Reduction Would Be Largest Anti-Climate Rollback Ever
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- Decades of Science Denial Related to Climate Change Has Led to Denial of the Coronavirus Pandemic
- Walgreens won't sell abortion pills in red states that threatened legal action
- Facing floods: What the world can learn from Bangladesh's climate solutions
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- Solar Industry to Make Pleas to Save Key Federal Subsidy as It Slips Away
Ranking
- Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
- High inflation and housing costs force Americans to delay needed health care
- James Marsden Reacts to Renewed Debate Over The Notebook Relationships: Lon or Noah?
- Northeast Aims to Remedy E.V. ‘Range Anxiety’ with 11-State Charging Network
- Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
- This is the period talk you should've gotten
- This Week in Clean Economy: Can Electric Cars Win Over Consumers in 2012?
- First Water Tests Show Worrying Signs From Cook Inlet Gas Leak
Recommendation
Average rate on 30
Climate Change Will Increase Risk of Violent Conflict, Researchers Warn
Japan Plans Floating Wind Turbines for Tsunami-Stricken Fukushima Coast
Cook Inlet: Oil Platforms Powered by Leaking Alaska Pipeline Forced to Shut Down
Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
Ravaged by Drought, a Honduran Village Faces a Choice: Pray for Rain or Migrate
New documentary shines light on impact of guaranteed income programs
Justin Timberlake Declares He's Now Going By Jessica Biel's Boyfriend After Hilarious TikTok Comment