The son of legendary musician Isaac Hayes is not backing down on threats to sue Donald Trump, with an emergency court date now granted in a lawsuit being brought against the former US president.
Isaac Hayes III is launching a legal battle against the Republican nominee over the use of the song ‘Hold On, I’m Comin” which was co-penned by his famous father, singer/songwriter Isaac Hayes.
The 49-year-old, who is also a record producer, songwriter, and voice actor, confirmed on X, previously Twitter, on Sunday that he has served Trump and his team a lawsuit and court hearing for Tuesday, September 3.
“In no world where Donald Trump exists would I have approved this song to be used,” Isaac Hayes III told The Art of Dialogue earlier this month. “I’m a brother of seven sisters. Donald Trump has said terrible things about women.
“Trump has said terrible things about Vice President Harris. He’s been found liable of sexual abuse… on top of that, it’s not political for me. It’s just the association with that character. I don’t want to inject my father’s music in to politics.
“I don’t think my father’s music should be used in a political fashion… but Trump is definitely not the person that I want. I don’t want people to hear ‘Hold On, I’m Comin’ and think of Donald Trump in any way, shape or form.”
Hayes III said Trump, the Republican Party, the National Rifle Association (NRA) and “several others” will appear in court after “using Isaac Hayes copyright illegally over 134 times” despite “being warned to stop numerous times”.
The news of the $3 million lawsuit comes just days after Trump failed to meet a deadline to respond to Hayes III’s demands to stop using the song, which was a hit in the 60s.
“Breaking,” he wrote on Friday. “The Federal Court has granted our request for an Emergency Hearing to secure injunctive relief. Donald Trump, the RNC, Trump, Trump for President Inc. 2024, Turning Point and The NRA are required to appear in court September 3, 2024 at the Northern U.S. District Federal Court in Atlanta.
“See you in court.”
Hayes III details his argument in another video posted on X: “If I repeatedly used any of (Donald Trump’s) IP without permission, he would sue the s*** out of me,” he wrote.
“For all the copyright experts out there, here’s how it works, and to the writers who don’t want Trump using their songs, here’s how you stop him.”
Hayes III goes on to explain music licensing and claims Trump was told to stop playing ‘Hold On, I’m Comin’” because the song was removed from his use from the political use license. Trump allegedly kept playing it regardless.
“If you keep playing the song, after you are told not to play the song, the fine is $150,000 every time you play it,” Hayes III claimed. “If you play it before you get the license, the song is $150,000 every time you play the song.”
Hayes III said “this would be easy to prove because we asked Donald Trump if he had a political use license and when that licensed exists and we know it doesn’t because we know the song had been terminated for him to play“.
For all the latest news straight to your inbox, sign up for our FREE newsletters here.
Trump ended his speech at a controversial NRF rally in Houston in May 2022 with the song, Variety reported at the time. The 78-year-old is believed to have used it again at the end of his recent rally in Atlanta, reports BLAVITY.
For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here.