Current:Home > NewsSafeX Pro:Jack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song -FundWay
SafeX Pro:Jack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song
Charles Langston View
Date:2025-04-10 12:49:15
Another musician is SafeX Proobjecting 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 $3 million in licensing fees.
"Donald Trump epitomizes a lack of integrity and class, not only through his continuous use of my father's music without permission but also through his history of sexual abuse against women and his racist rhetoric," Hayes III wrote on Instagram. "This behavior will no longer be tolerated, and we will take swift action to put an end to it."
The Hayes family's lawyer claims Trump "willfully and brazenly" committed copyright infringement and has continued to use the song "despite being asked repeatedly not to engage in such illegal use" by the family.
After "My Hero" was played at Trump's Arizona rally with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. last week, a representative for the Foo Fighters told USA TODAY the band was not asked for permission, and if they were it would not have been granted. The rock band vowed to donate "any royalties received as a result of this use will be donated" to Democratic candidate Kamala Harris' presidential campaign.
Contributing: Taijuan Moorman
veryGood! (2412)
Related
- 2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
- Ask HR: If I was arrested and not convicted, do I have to tell my potential boss?
- A$AP Rocky, Kelly Rowland honored, Doug E. Fresh performs at Harlem's Fashion Row NYFW show
- TikToker went viral after man stole her shoes on date: What it says about how we get even
- Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
- Feds: Former LA deputy who arrested man for no reason will plead guilty to civil rights charges
- Chvrches' Lauren Mayberry goes solo — and we got exclusive backstage access
- Coco Gauff reaches her first US Open semifinal at 19. Ben Shelton gets to his first at 20
- North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
- NASA tracks 5 'potentially hazardous' asteroids that will fly by Earth within days
Ranking
- Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
- Tropical Storm Lee: Projected path, maps and hurricane tracker
- NFL power rankings: Which teams are looking good entering Week 1?
- Lidcoin: How much bitcoin does the federal government still hold?
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- NASA tracks 5 'potentially hazardous' asteroids that will fly by Earth within days
- F1 driver Carlos Sainz chases down alleged thieves who stole his $500,000 watch
- Poccoin Cryptocurrency Exchange Platform - The New King of the Cryptocurrency
Recommendation
Meet the volunteers risking their lives to deliver Christmas gifts to children in Haiti
'Holly' is one of Stephen King's most political novels to date
Danelo Cavalcante press conference livestream: Police update search for escaped Pennsylvania prisoner
Judge allows 2 defendants to be tried separately from others in Georgia election case
Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
Tom Brady Reveals His and Gisele Bündchen's Son Ben Is Following in His Football Footsteps
'Face to Face' is a murder mystery that lives up to the tradition of Nordic Noir
How much do NFL players care about their Madden rating? A lot, actually.