Current:Home > ScamsJack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song -EverVision Finance
Jack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song
View
Date:2025-04-13 23:12:20
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! (8)
Related
- Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
- Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
- Here's how to make the perfect oven
- Morgan Wallen sentenced after pleading guilty in Nashville chair
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
- Morgan Wallen sentenced after pleading guilty in Nashville chair
- Stock market today: Asian stocks are mixed ahead of key US inflation data
- We can't get excited about 'Kraven the Hunter.' Don't blame superhero fatigue.
- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
- Morgan Wallen sentenced after pleading guilty in Nashville chair
Ranking
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Joe Burrow’s home broken into during Monday Night Football in latest pro
- Biden says he was ‘stupid’ not to put his name on pandemic relief checks like Trump did
- Man identifying himself as American Travis Timmerman found in Syria after being freed from prison
- 'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
- When does the new season of 'Virgin River' come out? Release date, cast, where to watch
- Epic Games to give refunds after FTC says it 'tricked' Fortnite players into purchases
- With the Eras Tour over, what does Taylor Swift have up her sleeve next? What we know
Recommendation
Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
As a Major California Oil Producer Eyes Carbon Storage, Thousands of Idle Wells Await Cleanup
Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
Biden says he was ‘stupid’ not to put his name on pandemic relief checks like Trump did
Is that Cillian Murphy as a zombie in the '28 Years Later' trailer?