{"id":9888,"date":"2026-02-24T16:16:10","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T16:16:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatrustedlawyers.com\/blog\/isaac-hayes-estate-settles-trump-copyright-lawsuit-over-rally-song\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T16:16:10","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T16:16:10","slug":"isaac-hayes-estate-settles-trump-copyright-lawsuit-over-rally-song","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatrustedlawyers.com\/blog\/isaac-hayes-estate-settles-trump-copyright-lawsuit-over-rally-song\/","title":{"rendered":"Isaac Hayes Estate Settles Trump Copyright Lawsuit Over Rally Song"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n\tThe estate of Isaac Hayes has reached a confidential settlement with President Donald Trump to end copyright litigation over the allegedly unauthorized use of the 1966 song \u201cHold On, I\u2019m Comin\u2019\u201d at 2024 election rallies.<\/p>\n

\n\tHayes\u2019 son and estate manager, music producer Isaac Hayes III, says in a Monday (Feb. 23) Instagram statement<\/a> that the lawsuit \u201chas been mutually resolved, and we are satisfied with the outcome.\u201d Financial terms of the settlement were not disclosed.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\u201cThis resolution represents more than the conclusion of a legal matter,\u201d writes Hayes III in his statement. \u201cIt reaffirms the importance of protecting intellectual property rights and copyrights, especially as they relate to legacy, ownership and the responsible use of creative works.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cWe are proud that this matter has helped further a broader conversation surrounding intellectual property rights and the obligation to honor creators and their estates,\u201d adds Hayes. \u201cProtecting ownership is not only about the past, it is about preserving dignity, value and accountability for future generations.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tTrump\u2019s lawyers did not immediately return a request for comment.<\/p>\n

\n\tThe Hayes estate sued Trump and his campaign committee at the height of the 2024 election cycle alleging the then-candidate was violating copyright law by playing \u201cHold On, I\u2019m Comin\u2019\u201d without permission at rallies. The track was co-written by Hayes and performed by the soul duo Sam & Dave.<\/p>\n

\n\tTrump\u2019s lawyers sought to dismiss the claims based on a lack of documentation showing the chain of ownership for Hayes\u2019 publishing rights, which the estate allegedly clawed back from Warner Chappell in 2014. A federal judge ruled last April that although the case had some \u201cproblems,\u201d it was strong enough to move forward into evidence discovery. \u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\tEver since Trump entered the political arena, he has repeatedly drawn the ire of artists for allegedly playing their music without permission. This led to numerous legal issues for him during the 2024 campaign cycle; in addition to the Hayes case, Trump received a cease-and-desist letter from Beyonc\u00e9 and a lawsuit from The White Stripes.<\/p>\n

\n\tTrump\u2019s beef with musicians has only ramped up since retaking the presidency, now by way of his administration\u2019s active TikTok and Instagram accounts. Multiple artists, including stars like Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo, have complained about the White House using their songs in social media videos promoting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement\u2019s deportation agenda.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n