Current:Home > MyJack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song -Elevate Capital Network
Jack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song
View
Date:2025-04-17 17:20:23
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! (33)
Related
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Cardi B Calls Out Offset's Stupid Cheating Allegations
- Amazon is cutting another 9,000 jobs as tech industry keeps shrinking
- Special counsel's office cited 3 federal laws in Trump target letter
- Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
- Thousands of Amazon Shoppers Say This 50% Off Folding Makeup Mirror Is a Must-Have
- Florida man, 3 sons convicted of selling bleach as fake COVID-19 cure: Snake-oil salesmen
- Bills RB Nyheim Hines will miss the season after being hit by a jet ski, AP source says
- Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
- The Bachelorette Charity Lawson Explains Her Controversial First Impression Rose Decision
Ranking
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- This week on Sunday Morning (July 23)
- Wife of Gilgo Beach murders suspect Rex Heuermann files for divorce as woman shares eerie encounter with him
- The demise of Credit Suisse
- Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
- Activists spread misleading information to fight solar
- You Only Have a Few Hours to Shop Spanx 50% Off Deals: Leggings, Leather Pants, Tennis Skirts, and More
- 5 ways the fallout from the banking turmoil might affect you
Recommendation
Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
Influencer says Miranda Lambert embarrassed her by calling her out — but she just wanted to enjoy the show
Are you trying to buy a home? Tell us how you're dealing with variable mortgage rates
Florida girl severely burned by McDonald's Chicken McNugget awarded $800,000 in damages
Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
Thousands of Amazon Shoppers Say This 50% Off Folding Makeup Mirror Is a Must-Have
Biden’s Infrastructure Bill Includes Money for Recycling, But the Debate Over Plastics Rages On
The Bureau of Land Management Lets 1.5 Million Cattle Graze on Federal Land for Almost Nothing, but the Cost to the Climate Could Be High