Current:Home > ScamsJack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song -Visionary Wealth Guides
Jack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song
View
Date:2025-04-14 14:17:30
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! (75)
Related
- NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
- USA's Jade Carey will return to Oregon State for 2025 gymnastics season
- US Open player compensation rises to a record $65 million, with singles champs getting $3.6 million
- Amid intense debate, NY county passes mask ban to address antisemitic attacks
- Meet the volunteers risking their lives to deliver Christmas gifts to children in Haiti
- Illinois governor calls for resignation of sheriff whose deputy fatally shot Black woman in her home
- Unlock the Magic With Hidden Disney Deals Starting at $12.98 on Marvel, Star Wars & More
- In a 2020 flashback, Georgia’s GOP-aligned election board wants to reinvestigate election results
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- Blake Lively’s Inner Circle Shares Rare Insight on Her Life as a Mom to 4 Kids
Ranking
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
- Olympic women's basketball bracket: Schedule, results, Team USA's path to gold
- 'Finally:' Murdered Utah grandmother's family looks to execution for closure
- Olympic track star Andre De Grasse distracted by abuse allegations against his coach
- The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
- Report: Lauri Markkanen signs 5-year, $238 million extension with Utah Jazz
- Messi injury update: Ankle 'better every day' but Inter Miami star yet to play Leagues Cup
- Hikers get video of dramatic snake fight between two venomous Massachusetts rattlers: Watch
Recommendation
US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
Jay Kanter, veteran Hollywood producer and Marlon Brando agent, dies at 97: Reports
Taylor Swift Cancels Austria Concerts After Confirmation of Planned Terrorist Attack
British golfer Charley Hull blames injury, not lack of cigarettes, for poor Olympic start
Average rate on 30
Euphoria's Hunter Schafer Says Ex Dominic Fike Cheated on Her Before Breakup
Romania Appeals Gymnast Sabrina Maneca-Voinea's Score After Jordan Chiles' Medal-Winning Inquiry
Audit: California risked millions in homelessness funds due to poor anti-fraud protections