Isaac Hayes Estate Settles with Trump in Copyright Lawsuit Over Election Rally Song

The estate of Isaac Hayes has reached a confidential settlement with President Donald Trump to end copyright litigation over the allegedly unauthorized use of the 1966 song “Hold On, I’m Comin’” at 2024 election rallies.

Hayes’ son and estate manager, music producer Isaac Hayes III, says in a Monday (Feb. 23) Instagram statement that the lawsuit “has been mutually resolved, and we are satisfied with the outcome.” Financial terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

“This resolution represents more than the conclusion of a legal matter,” writes Hayes III in his statement. “It reaffirms the importance of protecting intellectual property rights and copyrights, especially as they relate to legacy, ownership and the responsible use of creative works.”

“We are proud that this matter has helped further a broader conversation surrounding intellectual property rights and the obligation to honor creators and their estates,” adds Hayes. “Protecting ownership is not only about the past, it is about preserving dignity, value and accountability for future generations.”

Trump’s lawyers did not immediately return a request for comment.

The Hayes estate sued Trump and his campaign committee at the height of the 2024 election cycle alleging the then-candidate was violating copyright law by playing “Hold On, I’m Comin’” without permission at rallies. The track was co-written by Hayes and performed by the soul duo Sam & Dave.

Trump’s lawyers sought to dismiss the claims based on a lack of documentation showing the chain of ownership for Hayes’ publishing rights, which the estate allegedly clawed back from Warner Chappell in 2014. A federal judge ruled last April that although the case had some “problems,” it was strong enough to move forward into evidence discovery.  

Ever since Trump entered the political arena, he has repeatedly drawn the ire of artists for allegedly playing their music without permission. This led to numerous legal issues for him during the 2024 campaign cycle; in addition to the Hayes case, Trump received a cease-and-desist letter from Beyoncé and a lawsuit from The White Stripes.

Trump’s beef with musicians has only ramped up since retaking the presidency, now by way of his administration’s active TikTok and Instagram accounts. Multiple artists, including stars like Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo, have complained about the White House using their songs in social media videos promoting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s deportation agenda.