Current:Home > ScamsJack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song -BrightPath Capital
Jack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song
View
Date:2025-04-17 05:45:23
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! (396)
Related
- Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
- Children in remote Alaska aim for carnival prizes, show off their winnings and launch fireworks
- Making of Colts QB Anthony Richardson: Chasing Tebow, idolizing Tom Brady, fighting fires
- Rita Wilson talks ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3,’ surprise ‘phenomenon’ of the original film
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- The US Supreme Court took away abortion rights. Mexico's high court just did the opposite.
- On ‘João’, Brazilian singer Bebel Gilberto honors her late father, bossa nova giant João Gilberto
- Stellantis offers 14.5% pay increase to UAW workers in latest contract negotiation talks
- 'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
- FASHION PHOTOS: Siriano marks 15 years in business with Sia singing and a sparkling ballet fantasy
Ranking
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- Some millennials ditch dating app culture in favor of returning to 'IRL' connections
- How did NASA create breathable air on Mars? With moxie and MIT scientists.
- Soccer star Achraf Hakimi urges Moroccans to ‘help each other’ after earthquake
- Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
- Tribal nations face less accurate, more limited 2020 census data because of privacy methods
- Former Olympic champion and college All-American win swim around Florida’s Alligator Reef Lighthouse
- IRS ramping up crackdown on wealthy taxpayers, targeting 1,600 millionaires
Recommendation
Tom Holland's New Venture Revealed
A man convicted of murder in Massachusetts in 1993 is getting a new trial due to DNA evidence
Two men questioned in Lebanon at Turkey’s request over 2019 escape of former Nissan tycoon Ghosn
Authorities search for grizzly bear that mauled a Montana hunter
The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
All the Behind-the-Scenes Secrets You Should Know While You're Binge-Watching Suits
Live Updates: Morocco struggles after rare, powerful earthquake kills and injures scores of people
Opinion: High schoolers can do what AI can't