The family of Isaac Hayes has reached a settlement with Donald Trump after suing the president and his campaign over the unauthorized use of Sam & Dave’s hit song “Hold on, I’m Coming.”
Isaac Hayes III, son of the late soul icon, shared on social media on Monday that his father’s estate is “satisfied with the outcome” after a legal battle over copyright infringement. “It is a condition that all parties voluntarily dismiss this lawsuit, subject to all parties bearing their own fees and costs,” according to court documents obtained by Hollywood Reporter. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
“The Hayes family and the estate of Isaac Hayes, Jr. announce that the lawsuit against Donald John Trump and Donald J. Trump for President 2024, Inc., regarding their use of the song ‘Hold On, I’m Comin’ has been mutually resolved, and we are satisfied with the outcome,” the Hayes estate shared in a statement. “This decision represents more than just an end to a legal matter. It reaffirms the importance of protecting intellectual property rights and copyrights, particularly with regard to inheritance, ownership and responsible use of creative works.”
They continued: “Isaac Hayes, Jr. dedicated his life to his craft, and his contributions to music and culture hold lasting value. As stewards of his legacy, we remain committed to ensuring that his works are respected and appropriately protected. We are proud that this has helped foster a broader conversation about intellectual property rights and the commitment to honoring creators and their property. Protecting property is not just about the past, it is about preserving dignity, value and accountability for future generations.”
In August 2024, the estate of the Grammy and Oscar winner sued Trump and his campaign over the unauthorized use of the 1996 hit — which was written by Hayes and his songwriting partner David Porter — at the president’s campaign rallies from 2022 to 2024.
“Hold on, I’m Coming” appeared at more than 130 Trump rallies during that period, and was often played before and after his speech, as well as at the 2024 Republican National Convention.
The following month, U.S. District Judge Thomas Thrash Jr. issued an emergency injunction in Atlanta federal court, ordering Trump to stop using the musician’s songs at his rallies.
Isaac Hayes III previously said that his family was trying to distance his father’s work from the Trump campaign, because he did not want to use it “as a tool to promote hatred or bigotry.”
“Donald Trump embodies a lack of integrity and class, not only through his continued use of my father’s music without permission, but also through his history of sexual assault against women and his racist rhetoric,” Isaac Hayes III previously wrote on Instagram. “This behavior will no longer be tolerated, and we will take swift action to end it.” “We stand in solidarity with all musicians whose work has been co-opted without consent by divisive political campaigns. The art of performing music is a reflection of its spirit, not a tool to promote hatred or intolerance. It is time for all artists to unite and demand respect for their creative heritage.”
