Current:Home > ScamsJack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song -GrowthInsight
Jack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song
TrendPulse Quantitative Think Tank Center View
Date:2025-04-09 08:34:32
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! (527)
Related
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- Taylor Momsen of The Pretty Reckless bitten by a bat onstage: 'I must really be a witch'
- Simone Biles' greatest move had nothing to do with winning her ninth US title | Opinion
- Police kill man with gun outside New Hampshire home improvement store
- Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
- Zhilei Zhang knocks out Deontay Wilder: Round-by-round fight analysis
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Mixed Drink
- Katy Perry Shares Fixed Version of Harrison Butker's Controversial Commencement Speech
- Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
- 'This team takes the cake': Behind Aaron Judge, New York Yankees having monster 2024 start
Ranking
- Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
- Shaun White Channels Vampire Diaries to Cheer Up Injured Nina Dobrev
- Organizers say record-setting drag queen story time reading kicks off Philadelphia Pride Month
- Chad Daybell sentenced to death in triple murder by Idaho jury
- Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
- 'This team takes the cake': Behind Aaron Judge, New York Yankees having monster 2024 start
- California saw 5 earthquakes within hours, the day after Lake County, Ohio, was shaken
- Wisconsin prison warden quits amid lockdown, federal smuggling investigation
Recommendation
Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
A new American Dream? With home prices out of reach, 'build-to-rent' communities take off
A new American Dream? With home prices out of reach, 'build-to-rent' communities take off
Pride Month has started but what does that mean? A look at what it is, how it's celebrated
Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
Armed Groups Use Deforestation as a Bargaining Chip in Colombia
Below Deck Med's Captain Sandy Yawn Reveals Which Crewmembers She Misses Amid Cast Shakeup
Ex-NJ officer sentenced to 27 years in shooting death of driver, wounding of passenger in 2019 chase