The estate of Isaac Hayes won a personal victory after requesting through legal means that Donald Trump no longer use a popular track from the late singer and songwriter. A federal judge ruled that the Isaac Hayes hit “Hold On, I’m Coming” can no longer be placed by Donald Trump as he continues ahead on the campaign trail.
CNN reports that the estate of Isaac Hayes filed to enact an emergency injunction against Donald Trump’s campaign to halt the playing of “Hold On, I’m Coming,” performed and released in 1966 by Sam & Dave with Hayes and David Porter listed as songwriters. The estate states that Trump and his team do not have authorization to play the song.
Judge Thomas Thrash Jr. of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia issued the ruling on Tuesday (September 3).
“I do order Trump and his campaign to not use the song without proper license,” Judge Thrash said. The estate wanted to enforce a motion to have Trump’s campaign take down previous uses of the song but it was denied.
An attorney for Trump shared a statement with the media and was in support of the judge keeping the previous uses of the song intact.
“The campaign has no interest in annoying or hurting anyone. And if the Hayes family feels it hurts or annoys them, that’s fine, we’re not going to force the issue,” attorney Roland Coleman said.
After the hearing, Isaac Hayes III said, “We are very grateful and happy for the decision by Judge Thrash. I want this to serve as an opportunity for other artists to come forward that don’t want their music used by Donald Trump or other political entities.”
The Hayes estate has been battling Trump on the use of the song since 2022 when the business mogul announced his reelection bid.
—
Photo: Tim Mosenfelder / Getty
