Current:Home > InvestJack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song -WealthSphere Pro
Jack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song
View
Date:2025-04-14 18:32:11
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! (32)
Related
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- Georgia deputy killed in shooting during domestic dispute call by suspect who took his own life
- Maurice Williams, writer and lead singer of ‘Stay,’ dead at 86
- Old legal quirk lets police take your money with little reason, critics say
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Expect Bears to mirror ups and downs of rookie Caleb Williams – and expect that to be fun
- What is ‘price gouging’ and why is VP Harris proposing to ban it?
- Tropical Storm Ernesto sends powerful swells, rip currents to US East Coast
- Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
- Kirsten Dunst Reciting Iconic Bring It On Cheer at Screening Proves She’s Still Captain Material
Ranking
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- What is a blue moon? Here's what one is and what the stars have to say about it.
- Taylor Swift's best friend since childhood gives birth to sweet baby boy
- Woman arrested at Indiana Applebee's after argument over 'All You Can Eat' deal: Police
- Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword, Baby, Do You Like This Beat?
- Lawsuit: Kansas school employee locked teen with Down syndrome in closet, storage cage
- Jerry Rice is letting son Brenden make his own name in NFL with Chargers
Recommendation
Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
Extreme heat at Colorado airshow sickens about 100 people with 10 hospitalized, officials say
John Aprea, The Godfather Part II Star, Dead at 83
'Incredibly rare' dead sea serpent surfaces in California waters; just 1 of 20 since 1901
This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
The Aspen Institute Is Calling for a Systemic Approach to Climate Education at the University Level
Is 70 the best age to claim Social Security? Not in these 3 situations.
'AGT' comedian Perry Kurtz dead at 73 after alleged hit-and-run