Current:Home > MarketsJack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song -DataFinance
Jack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song
View
Date:2025-04-14 16:39:11
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! (4)
Related
- Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
- US moves to advance prisoner swap deal with Iran and release $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds
- Ex-Bengals player Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones arrested at Cincinnati airport
- California lawmakers approve the nation’s most sweeping emissions disclosure rules for big business
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- McCarthy juggles government shutdown and potential Biden impeachment inquiry as House returns
- Man walks into FBI office to confess to killing, raping woman in 1979
- Explosion at Archer Daniels Midland plant in Illinois injures 8 workers
- See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
- Apple event 2023: iPhone 15, AirPods, Apple Watch rumors ahead of Tuesday's event
Ranking
- Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
- Train carrying Kim Jong Un enters Russia en route to meeting with Vladimir Putin
- Amy Schumer deletes Instagram post making fun of Nicole Kidman at the US Open
- 6 people fatally shot in Greece, at a seaside town near Athens
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- Remains of 2 people killed in 9/11 attack on World Trade Center identified with DNA testing
- Groups sue EPA in an effort to strengthen oversight of livestock operations
- Oklahoma assistant Lebby sorry for distraction disgraced father-in-law Art Briles caused at game
Recommendation
SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters
Alabama Barker Praises “Hot Mama” Kourtney Kardashian’s Latest Pregnancy Pics
'Star Wars' Red Leader X-wing model heads a cargo bay's worth of props at auction
US and UK holding UN screening of documentary on Russia’s siege of Ukrainian city of Mariupol
Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
Twinkies are sold! J.M. Smucker scoops up Hostess Brands for $5.6 billion
The evolution of iPhone: See changes from the original ahead of iPhone 15's unveiling
Lighthouse where walkway collapse injured visitors to remain closed for indefinite amount of time