Michigan rockers sue Trump campaign for using song without permission
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Two Michigan musicians have filed a lawsuit against former President Donald Trump’s campaign for copyright infringement after using one of the band’s songs in a social media video.
Jack White, formerly of the White Stripes, announced the lawsuit Monday evening with a social media post saying, “This machine sues fascists.”
The lawsuit includes White’s ex-wife, Meg, the other half of the former rock duo. It was filed in federal district court in New York against the campaign and Margo McAtee Martin, the campaign’s deputy director of communications.
The former president’s social media team posted a video on Aug. 29 featuring the band’s 2003 chart topper “Seven Nation Army.” Almost immediately, White called out the campaign, stating, “Don’t even think about using my music, you fascists.” The video was quickly taken down by the campaign but has since been reposted by many other accounts.
It is the latest in a long run of lawsuits against the former president by artists who don’t want their work connected to his campaign. According to The Washington Post, a federal judge in Atlanta issued a temporary order banning Trump’s campaign from playing the song “Hold On, I’m Coming” after a request from the estate of Isaac Hayes, one of the song’s co-writers. The same week, a New York judge heard arguments from Eddy Grant over the campaign’s use of his hit “Electric Avenue.”
In both cases, Trump’s legal team has argued the songs should fall under the fair use defense.
This isn’t a new problem for Trump. He faced similar backlash in 2016 and 2020. According to The Detroit News, Jack White first spoke out eight years ago when the Trump campaign used one of his songs without permission. In the lawsuit, White’s lawyers argue the campaign never sought out licensing for the song, and even if it had, it would have been rejected.
“(Jack and Meg White) do not want to be associated with Defendants in any manner,” the lawsuit said.
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Jack White is a Detroit native, while Meg was born and raised in Grosse Pointe Farms, about 10 miles east of the big city. The two got married in 1996 and launched the rock duo one year later.
The duo worked together until disbanding in 2011, releasing six albums and two best-of complications. They won six Grammy Awards, including best rock song for “Seven Nation Army” and best alternative music album for “Elephant” in 2004, “Get Behind Me Satan” in 2006, and “Icky Thump” in 2008.
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