Isaac Hayes’ Family Threatens R56 Million Lawsuit Against Donald Trump Over Unauthorized Use of ‘Hold On, I’m Coming’

In a significant legal move, the family of soul legend Isaac Hayes has issued a stern warning to former U.S. President Donald Trump, threatening a lawsuit worth R56 million (approximately $3 million). The dispute arises from Trump’s persistent use of the iconic song “Hold On, I’m Coming” at his political rallies, despite repeated pleas from the Hayes estate to cease the unauthorized usage.

For the past two years, Trump’s campaign has reportedly played the song over 100 times, with the family citing a total of 134 instances. The Hayes estate has now taken the step of filing a copyright infringement notice, represented by attorney James Walker Jr., who spoke to Action News 5 about the ongoing situation.

“We’ve asked Donald Trump repeatedly to stop using the music, but he continues to disrespect the family, the legacy of Isaac Hayes, and his music, giving the family the middle finger,” Walker stated. The legal team for the Hayes family is now demanding R56 million in licensing fees for the song’s use during Trump’s 2022 campaign events.

The tension escalated earlier this week when Isaac Hayes III, the late singer’s son, took to social media to address Trump supporters who claimed that the former president had made the song relevant again. In a pointed response, Hayes III shared a reel showcasing the song’s legitimate uses in trailers and commercials, reminding the public of his father’s extensive contribution to music.

“@_isaachayes wrote hundreds of songs and has been sampled thousands of times. ‘Hold On, I’m Coming’ is just one of many Isaac Hayes hits,” he wrote, dismissing the notion that Trump had any significant impact on the song’s enduring popularity. Hayes III’s message was clear: the idea that Trump’s use of the song had any influence on its legacy is “laughable all the way to the bank.”

The coming days will be critical as the Friday deadline looms, with the Hayes family awaiting Trump’s compliance with their demands. If not, the matter seems destined for a courtroom showdown that could further strain Trump’s already complex legal landscape.