By Emmanuel Bobby
President Donald Trump has settled a lawsuit with the estate of legendary singer and songwriter Isaac Hayes over the campaign’s use of the song “Hold On, I’m Coming,” the Hayes family announced Monday.
The Hayes estate filed the lawsuit in August 2024, alleging that Trump’s campaign used the song in campaign videos and public appearances 133 times during the 2020 and 2024 presidential races without permission. The complaint argued that the repeated use infringed on the song’s copyright and sought damages.
Isaac Hayes III, the late musician’s son, said on social media that the family and the estate had reached a settlement and were satisfied with the outcome, though he did not disclose the terms of the agreement.
Hayes, who died in 2008 at age 65, co-wrote “Hold On, I’m Coming” with David Porter, and the track became a major 1966 hit for soul duo Sam and Dave.
In September 2024, a U.S. District Court judge issued a preliminary injunction ordering the Trump campaign to stop using the song in campaign materials and events. Trump’s lawyers said the campaign had already discontinued its use of the track before the ruling.
Sam Moore of Sam and Dave, who performed “America the Beautiful” at a Trump pre-inauguration concert, filed a sworn statement opposing the Hayes estate’s request for court action. Over the years, numerous artists—including Sabrina Carpenter, ABBA, and Celine Dion—have publicly objected to Trump using their music at campaign events.
The White House directed inquiries to Trump’s personal attorney, Ronald Coleman, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In earlier court filings, Trump’s legal team argued that the Hayes estate had not proven ownership of the copyright or demonstrated financial harm.
Coleman previously said the campaign had no intention of continuing to use the song, stating that it did not want to upset the Hayes family and would not “force the issue.”
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