Jack White threatens legal action against Trump campaign for unauthorized use of The White Stripes’ music, joining a growing list of artists doing the same.
At a Glance
- The White Stripes are taking legal action against Donald Trump for using “Seven Nation Army” without permission.
- Jack White expressed anger on Instagram, calling Trump and his team “fascists”.
- The song was used in a video of Trump boarding his private jet, posted on X (formerly Twitter).
- Other artists like Beyoncé, Celine Dion, and Foo Fighters have also filed claims against Trump for unauthorized music use.
- The legal battle highlights ongoing tensions between musicians and political figures over intellectual property rights.
White Stripes Join Legal Fight Against Trump Campaign
The White Stripes have initiated legal proceedings against Donald Trump’s campaign for the allegedly unauthorized use of their hit song “Seven Nation Army” in a campaign video. The video, which featured Trump boarding his private jet, was posted on X (formerly Twitter) but has since been removed. This action adds The White Stripes to a growing list of artists taking a stand against the unauthorized use of their music in political campaigns.
The legal claim filed by The White Stripes argues that the use of their song could generate financial and other support for Trump’s campaign without the band’s consent, violating federal copyright law. Jack White, the band’s frontman, took to Instagram to express his anger over the situation.
Jack White Threatens Donald Trump Campaign With Legal Action: "Don't Even Think About Using My Music You Fascists" https://t.co/llr0H4cheo
— Deadline (@DEADLINE) August 29, 2024
Artists Unite Against Unauthorized Music Use
The White Stripes are not alone in their fight against the Trump campaign’s allegedly unauthorized use of music. Other high-profile artists, including Beyoncé, Celine Dion, and the Foo Fighters, have also filed claims or publicly rejected the use of their songs at Trump’s rallies. This widespread pushback highlights the growing tension between musicians and political figures over intellectual property rights.
“Don’t even think about using my music you fascists,” Jack White stated in his Instagram post. “Law suit coming from my lawyers about this (to add to your 5 thousand others.)”
Universal Music has also issued a legal notice to Trump’s campaign for using ABBA songs without authorization, further emphasizing the music industry’s united front against such practices. The Foo Fighters have gone a step further, having pledged to donate royalties from their song “My Hero” to Kamala Harris’ campaign after its unauthorized use at Trump rallies.
Legal Implications and Industry Response
The ongoing legal battle between musicians and political campaigns raises important questions about copyright law and the protection of artistic works. Experts suggest that registering copyrights and taking swift legal action are crucial steps for artists to protect their music from infringement. The music industry is closely watching these developments, as the outcome could set precedents for future cases.
The claim in question accuses President Trump of “flagrant misappropriation”.
While Trump’s team has yet to respond to The White Stripes’ claim, they have previously argued that they obtained licenses for some of the music used in their campaigns. However, many artists maintain that even with proper licensing, they have the right to object to their music being associated with political messages they don’t support.
As the legal battle unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting artists’ rights and the potential consequences of unauthorized use of copyrighted material in political campaigns. The music industry and legal experts will be watching closely to see how this latest dispute is resolved and what implications it may have for future political events and campaigns.
