Judge Says Donald Trump Campaign Has To Stop Using “Hold On, I’m Coming” Amid Isaac Hayes Estate Lawsuit

A federal judge has put at least a temporary stop to Donald Trump campaign’s use of the song, “Hold On, I’m Coming” amid a lawsuit filed by the estate of Isaac Hayes.

U.S. District Judge Thomas Thrash granted a motion for preliminary injunction at a hearing in Atlanta today.

Hayes’ estate sued the Trump and his campaign, along with other defendants, claiming that the use of the song at rallies infringed on their copyright for the work. The co-author of the song, David Porter, who wrote it with Hayes in 1966, also said that he did not authorize its use. The song was originally recorded by Sam & Dave.

The Trump campaign, however, claimed that it had permission via a BMI license obtained on Nov. 30, 2022. It also claimed that the Hayes estate was not the license holder, but that Universal Music Publishing was.

But the Hayes estate said that the Trump campaign was “erroneous” in reading a 2024 Copyright Office assignment record. The attorneys also contended that the license was terminated almost three months ago via BMI letter, but the Trump campaign continued to use it nearly 30 times since then.

The judge’s ruling essentially halts the Trump campaign use of the song as the case proceeds. The Hayes estate has demanded payment of $3 million for the use of the song.

The judge denied a motion to order the Trump campaign to take down social media and other postings in which the song is used.

The legal dispute is one of the higher profile standoffs between musicians and artists and the Trump campaign over the use of their music.

More to come.