Current:Home > ScamsJack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song -MacroWatch
Jack White threatens to sue over Trump campaign staffer's use of White Stripes song
View
Date:2025-04-18 05:47:35
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! (5)
Related
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- Utah’s near-total abortion ban to remain blocked until lower court assesses its constitutionality
- Chase Budinger credits former NBA teammate for approach to Olympic beach volleyball
- The Viral Makeup TikTok Can’t Get Enough Of: Moira Cosmetics, Jason Wu, LoveSeen, and More
- The Super Bowl could end in a 'three
- When does Katie Ledecky swim today? Paris Olympics swimming schedule for 800 freestyle
- An assassin, a Putin foe’s death, secret talks: How a sweeping US-Russia prisoner swap came together
- All-Star Freddie Freeman leaves Dodgers to be with ailing son
- Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
- General Hospital's Cameron Mathison Steps Out With Aubree Knight Hours After Announcing Divorce
Ranking
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- When does Katie Ledecky swim today? Paris Olympics swimming schedule for 800 freestyle
- Did Katie Ledecky win? How she finished in 800 freestyle
- JoJo Siwa Shares Her Advice for the Cast of Dance Moms: A New Era
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Michigan’s state primaries
- Olympic medals today: What is the count at 2024 Paris Games on Friday?
- What DeAndre Hopkins injury means for Tennessee Titans' offense: Treylon Burks, you're up
Recommendation
New Mexico governor seeks funding to recycle fracking water, expand preschool, treat mental health
Saturn throws comet out of solar system at 6,700 mph: What astronomers think happened
Things to know about the largest US-Russia prisoner swap in post-Soviet history
Doomed: Is Robert Downey Jr.'s return really the best thing for the MCU?
Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
Meet the painter with the best seat at one of Paris Olympics most iconic venues
Babies R Us shops are rolling out in 200 Kohl's stores: See full list
Increasing wind and heat plus risk of thunderstorms expected in fight against California wildfire