Former President Trump sued for using Isaac Hayes song
Donald Trump is facing legal action for using the famous Isaac Hayes song “Theme from Shaft” at his campaign events without permission. The lawsuit was filed by the family of the late soul singer and composer, who claim that Trump used the song without obtaining the necessary rights.
The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in Tennessee, alleges that Trump’s campaign played the song at multiple events, including one held in Nashville in 2020. According to the complaint, the Hayes family never granted permission for the song to be used in any political campaign.
Isaac Hayes, who passed away in 2008, was a prominent figure in the music industry and won an Academy Award for the “Theme from Shaft” in 1972. The song remains one of his most well-known works and is synonymous with the iconic blaxploitation film of the same name.
In the lawsuit, the Hayes family is seeking financial damages for the unauthorized use of the song, as well as a permanent injunction to prevent Trump from using it in the future. The family’s lawyer stated that they are determined to protect Hayes’ legacy and ensure that his work is respected.
This is not the first time that Trump has faced legal challenges for his unauthorized use of music at campaign events. Multiple artists, including Neil Young, the Rolling Stones, and Tom Petty, have criticized Trump for using their music without permission. The outcome of the lawsuit against Trump remains to be seen, but it highlights the importance of obtaining proper authorization for using copyrighted material.