Current:Home > StocksJack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song -AssetLink
Jack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song
View
Date:2025-04-17 22:46:35
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! (5622)
Related
- Trump invites nearly all federal workers to quit now, get paid through September
- Paris Olympics in primetime: Highlights, live updates, how to watch NBC replay tonight
- How many Olympics has Simone Biles been in? A look at all her appearances at the Games.
- Technology’s grip on modern life is pushing us down a dimly lit path of digital land mines
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- Chiefs' Travis Kelce in his 'sanctuary' preparing for Super Bowl three-peat quest
- ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ smashes R-rated record with $205 million debut, 8th biggest opening ever
- Paris Olympics opening ceremony: Everything you didn't see on NBC's broadcast
- Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
- US men's basketball looks to find 'another level' for Paris Olympics opener
Ranking
- Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
- Gymnastics Olympics schedule: When Simone Biles, USA compete at Paris Games
- Team USA cyclist Chloe Dygert wins bronze medal in individual time trial
- Firefighters helped by cooler weather battle blaze that has scorched area size of Los Angeles
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- Tom Cruise, Nick Jonas and More Are Team USA's Best Cheerleaders at Gymnastics Qualifiers
- Joe Biden is out and Kamala Harris is in. Disenchanted voters are taking a new look at their choices
- ‘A Repair Manual for the Planet’: What Would It Take to Restore Our Atmosphere?
Recommendation
Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
Drag queens shine at Olympics opening, but ‘Last Supper’ tableau draws criticism
How many gold medals does Simone Biles have? What to know about her records, wins, more
Three members of family gospel group The Nelons killed in Wyoming plane crash
SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters
Evy Leibfarth 'confident' for other Paris Olympics events after mistakes in kayak slalom
One Extraordinary Photo: Charlie Riedel captures Simone Biles in flight at the Paris Games
Serena Williams' Husband Alexis Ohanian Aces Role as Her Personal Umbrella Holder