Current:Home > StocksJack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song -Wealth Evolution Experts
Jack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song
View
Date:2025-04-16 23:50:54
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! (13755)
Related
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Fire destroys popular Maine seafood restaurant on Labor Day weekend
- Obi Ndefo, Dawson's Creek Actor, Dead at 51
- Jennifer Lopez Proves She's Unbothered Amid Ben Affleck Divorce
- US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
- Tennessee football fan gets into argument with wife live during Vols postgame radio show
- 49ers wide receiver Pearsall shot during attempted robbery in San Francisco, officials say
- Moms for Liberty fully embraces Trump and widens role in national politics as election nears
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- Expect more illnesses in listeria outbreak tied to Boar's Head deli meat, food safety attorney says
Ranking
- Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
- These Back-to-School Tributes From Celebrity Parents Deserve an A+
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Open Call
- Small plane carrying at least 2 people crashes into townhomes near Portland, engulfs home in flames
- 'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
- The Vistabule DayTripper teardrop camper trailer is affordable (and adorable)
- Georgia arrests point to culture problem? Oh, please. Bulldogs show culture is winning
- Get 50% Off Ariana Grande Perfume, Kyle Richards' Hair Fix, Paige DeSorbo's Lash Serum & $7 Ulta Deals
Recommendation
Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
Score 50% Off Ariana Grande’s R.E.M. Beauty Lip Liner and $8.50 Ulta Deals from Tarte, Kopari & More
Cause probed in partial collapse of bleachers that injured 12 at a Texas rodeo arena
Judge blocks Ohio law banning foreign nationals from donating to ballot campaigns
Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
Harris calls Trump’s appearance at Arlington a ‘political stunt’ that ‘disrespected sacred ground’
On the first day without X, many Brazilians say they feel disconnected from the world
Chocolate’s future could hinge on success of growing cocoa not just in the tropics, but in the lab