In a significant ruling from an Atlanta federal court on Tuesday, former President Donald Trump and his campaign were ordered to stop using the classic song “Hold on, I’m Comin’,” penned by the legendary Isaac Hayes, at their rallies. The decision was handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Thrash Jr. during an emergency injunction hearing, following a legal challenge from Isaac Hayes III, who manages his father’s estate.
For years, Trump’s rallies have featured the soulful anthem without proper authorization, with the song reportedly played over 130 times at various events. Despite the ruling, the injunction does not extend to online videos featuring the track, leaving the matter unresolved until the case progresses further.
Isaac Hayes III, speaking at a press conference after the hearing, expressed his satisfaction with the judge’s decision. “This ruling is a victory not just for my father’s legacy but for all artists who find their work exploited without permission,” he stated. Hayes urged other artists to take similar action to protect their music from unauthorized political use.
Hayes had previously voiced his frustrations in an August interview, where he revealed that Trump’s team had never sought permission or paid licensing fees for the song’s repeated use. This case highlights a recurring issue faced by numerous musicians whose work has been utilized at Trump’s events without consent. High-profile artists and estates, including those of Adele, John Fogerty, Tom Petty, and Earth, Wind & Fire, have all publicly requested that the Trump campaign cease using their music.
Although the court ruling is a significant step, the Hayes estate’s broader request—to have all videos featuring the song removed from online platforms—was not granted during this initial hearing. According to James L. Walker, the attorney representing the Hayes family, the case will now move into the evidentiary phase, eventually leading to a trial where the takedown requests will be addressed.
Ronald Coleman, representing Trump’s legal team, acknowledged the ruling but emphasized their concerns regarding free speech. “The campaign had already agreed to stop using the song,” Coleman noted, adding that they were pleased the court did not mandate the removal of existing videos.
Isaac Hayes III took the opportunity to reflect on his father’s complex journey with music rights, noting that the song “Hold on, I’m Comin’,” co-written with Dave Porter for the iconic duo Sam & Dave, had returned to the family after decades. “We’re now in a position to safeguard my father’s legacy, and we intend to do so vigorously,” Hayes stated, emphasizing the importance of artists retaining control over their creations.
As the legal proceedings continue, this case underscores the ongoing battle for artists’ rights in the face of unauthorized use, particularly in the political arena. With the Hayes family standing firm, the outcome of this case could set a precedent for how artists protect their work moving forward.
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