Current:Home > NewsJack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song -Elevate Capital Network
Jack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song
View
Date:2025-04-16 17:40:11
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
- Sam Taylor
- Nikki Haley's husband featured in campaign ad
- West Virginia appeals court reverses $7M jury award in Ford lawsuit involving woman’s crash death
- Top-ranking Democrat won’t seek reelection next year in GOP-dominated Kentucky House
- Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
- Deemed Sustainable by Seafood Industry Monitors, Harvested California Squid Has an Unmeasurable Energy Footprint
- Michigan school shooting victims to speak as teen faces possible life sentence
- Two men in Alabama riverfront brawl plead guilty to harassment; assault charges dropped
- Video shows dog chewing cellphone battery pack, igniting fire in Oklahoma home
- Mexico-based startup accused of selling health drink made from endangered fish: Nature's best kept secret
Ranking
- $1 Frostys: Wendy's celebrates end of summer with sweet deal
- Why do doctors still use pagers?
- AP Week in Pictures: North America
- Taylor Swift said Travis Kelce is 'metal as hell.' Here is what it means.
- Meta releases AI model to enhance Metaverse experience
- Police in Dominica probe the killing of a Canadian couple who owned eco-resort
- Jonathan Majors begged accuser to avoid hospital, warning of possible ‘investigation,’ messages show
- Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott 'regretted' using 9/11 reference in 2019 team meeting
Recommendation
Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
Mexico-based startup accused of selling health drink made from endangered fish: Nature's best kept secret
Critics pan planned $450M Nebraska football stadium renovation as academic programs face cuts
Trump gag order in 2020 election case largely upheld by appeals court
Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
Ashlyn Harris Steps Out With Sophia Bush at Art Basel Amid Ali Krieger Divorce
Only Permitted Great Lakes Offshore Wind Farm Put on Hold
Israeli military says it's surrounded the home of architect of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack