Isaac Hayes’ Estate Reaches Settlement with Trump Over Use Of “Hold On, I’m Coming”

Isaac Hayes’ estate has reached a settlement with Donald Trump over the use of the 1966 song “Hold On, I’m Coming” at his rallies and campaign events. The estate initially sued Trump in 2024 for $3 million, alleging at least 133 instances of unauthorized use. Trump’s campaign argued the use was covered by a political entities license through BMI, but the estate revoked licensing permission in 2020 after Trump began using the song at rallies and continued to do so. A U.S. District Judge previously granted an injunction barring Trump from using the song and allowed the infringement claims to proceed.

The terms of the settlement were not disclosed, but the estate stated the resolution “reaffirms the importance of protecting intellectual property rights and copyrights.” They emphasized the need to respect the legacy and ownership of creative works, highlighting Isaac Hayes Jr.’s dedication to his craft.

The estate also expressed pride in contributing to a broader conversation about intellectual property rights and the obligation to honor creators and their estates, stating that protecting ownership is crucial for preserving dignity and accountability for future generations.

(Source：Plato Data Intelligence)