Current:Home > reviewsJack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song -Quantum Capital Pro
Jack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song
Charles Langston View
Date:2025-04-10 04:22:28
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! (4755)
Related
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Native American storyteller invites people to rethink the myths around Thanksgiving
- NCAA president tours the realignment wreckage at Washington State
- Powerball winning numbers for Nov. 22 drawing: Check your tickets for $313 million jackpot
- Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
- Black Friday 2023 store hours: When do Walmart, Target, Costco, Best Buy open and close?
- Avalanche in west Iran kills 5 mountain climbers and injures another 4
- Memorial planned for Kansas police dog that was strangled after chasing suspect into storm drain
- Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
- Top diplomats from Japan and China meet in South Korea ahead of 3-way regional talks
Ranking
- Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
- The casting director for 'Elf' would pick this other 'SNL' alum to star in a remake
- 'Saltburn' ending: Barry Keoghan asked to shoot full-frontal naked dance 'again and again'
- Homicides are rising in the nation’s capital, but police are solving far fewer of the cases
- Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
- Paris Hilton Welcomes Baby No. 2 With Husband Carter Reum
- Lulus' Black Friday Sale 2023: Up to 70% Off Influencer-Approved Dresses, Bridal & More
- Lulus' Black Friday Sale 2023: Up to 70% Off Influencer-Approved Dresses, Bridal & More
Recommendation
DeepSeek: Did a little known Chinese startup cause a 'Sputnik moment' for AI?
NATO member N Macedonia to briefly lift flight ban in case Russia’s Lavrov wants to attend meeting
'Wait Wait' for November 25, 2023: Happy Thanksgiving!
The 39 Best Black Friday Deals on Celebrity Brands: SKIMS, Good American, Jordan, Fenty Beauty, and More
At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
Inside the Kardashian-Jenner Family Thanksgiving Celebration
No. 7 Texas overwhelms Texas Tech 57-7 to reach Big 12 championship game
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade marches on after interruption from protesters