Donald Trump Launched His 2024 Presidential Campaign with an Issac Hayes Song & the Estate is Not Pleased

The estate of Issac Hayes has threatened legal action against Donald Trump for using a 1966 Sam & Dave song at his campaign rally.

The estate of Issac Hayes won’t be endorsing Donald Trump during his 2024 presidential campaign. On Tuesday (November 15), the twice-impeached former president used 1966 Sam & Dave song “Hold On I’m Coming” during the announcement of his presidential candidacy. The estate of Hayes, who was co-writer of the 1966 song with musician David Porter, immediately ridiculed the song’s use by Trump and threatened legal action.

“We are exploring multiple legal options to stop this unauthorized use,” Hayes’ estate warned. Hayes co-wrote the 1966 hit and in a subsequent tweet the estate added, “Stopping a politician from using your music is not always an easy task, but we are dedicated to making sure that Donald Trump does not continue to use ‘Hold on I’m Coming’ by written by Isaac Hayes an David Porter in further rallies and public appearances.”

This wouldn’t be the first time Trump has faced backlash for the unauthorized use of music during a presidential run and political events. In January 2021, disco group the Village People called out the former president for playing their 1978 classic “Y.M.C.A.” at a farewell event.

“We have no ill will towards the president, but we asked him to cease and desist long ago,” reads a statement from the group to Billboard. “However, since he’s a bully, our request was ignored. Thankfully he’s now out of office, so it would seem his abusive use of our music has finally ended. We hope to spearhead a change in copyright law that will give artists and publishers more control over who can and cannot use our music in the public space. Currently there is no limit to blanket licensing.”

Throughout the five years of Trump’s presidency and candidacy, artists including Rihanna, Adele and Elton John have been played, with the estates of Prince, Tom Petty and Leonard Cohen also demanding that their artist catalogs be relinquished from public events.