Current:Home > FinanceJack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song -Elite Financial Minds
Jack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song
View
Date:2025-04-19 21:03:48
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! (7621)
Related
- Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
- Sister Wives Star Madison Brush Announces Pregnancy News Amid Estrangement From Dad Kody Brown
- What is 'Ozempic face'? How we refer to weight-loss side effects matters.
- California governor signs bills to protect children from AI deepfake nudes
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- In the Fight to Decide the Fate of US Steel, Climate and Public Health Take a Backseat to Politics
- College football Week 5 grades: Ole Miss RB doubles as thespian; cheerleader's ninja move
- When is daylight saving time 2024? What it means to 'fall back' in November
- SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters
- Lynx star Napheesa Collier wins WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, tops all-defensive team
Ranking
- Global Warming Set the Stage for Los Angeles Fires
- 'Shazam!' star Zachary Levi endorses Donald Trump while moderating event with RFK Jr.
- When do the Jewish High Holidays start? The 10-day season begins this week with Rosh Hashana
- Kathie Lee Gifford says Hoda Kotb's 'Today' show exit is 'bittersweet'
- DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
- Kris Kristofferson, legendary singer-songwriter turned Hollywood leading man, dies at 88
- Supplies are rushed to North Carolina communities left isolated after Helene
- South Carolina power outage map: Nearly a million without power after Helene
Recommendation
Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
University imposes a one-year suspension on law professor over comments on race
Looking Back on Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Falchuk's Pinterest-Perfect Hamptons Wedding
Opinion: Atlanta Falcons have found their identity in nerve-wracking finishes
Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
Helene flooding is 'catastrophic natural disaster' in Western NC
Supplies are rushed to North Carolina communities left isolated after Helene
Squishmallow drops 2024 holiday lineup: See collabs with Stranger Things, Harry Potter