Jack White and ex-wife/bandmate Meg White have sued Donald Trump’s campaign for its unauthorized use of their song “Seven Nation Army” in promotional videos. The song was originally released in 2003 when Jack and Meg were in The White Stripes together. This is the latest in a long run of lawsuits and cease and desist from artists aimed at the Trump campaign.
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The lawsuit, filed in New York federal court on September 9, states that Jack and Meg “vehemently oppose the policies adopted and actions taken by Defendant Trump when he was President and those he has proposed for the second term he seeks,” per a copy of the suit obtained by Digital Music News.
The song was allegedly used in a now-deleted video of Trump boarding a plane, posted by Margo Martin, deputy director of communications for the Trump campaign, on Twitter. On August 29, Jack White posted Martin’s tweet on Instagram and wrote, “Oh….Don’t even think about using my music you fascists. Law suit coming from my lawyers about this (to add to your 5 thousand others.).”
This isn’t the first time Jack White has sued the Trump campaign over the use of “Seven Nation Army,” though. The campaign used the song first in 2016, and The White Stripes responded that they were “disgusted by this association.”
[RELATED: 4 Key Tracks from Jack White’s New Album ‘No Name’]
Trump Campaign Faces Lawsuit from Jack White and Meg White, Just the Latest in a String of Suits from Other Artists
Jack White and Meg White are not the only artists to sue the Trump campaign over the use of their music. Celine Dion disapproved of Trump’s use of “My Heart Will Go On” during rallies, and her team made that clear in a statement.
“In no way is this use authorized, and Celine Dion does not endorse this or any similar use,” the statement read, adding, “…And really, THAT song?”
The campaign then used Foo Fighters’ “My Hero” while welcoming Robert F. Kennedy to the stage during a rally. The band addressed the use of the song on Twitter, then released an official statement via Billboard. “Foo Fighters were not asked permission, and if they were, they would not have granted it,” the statement read. The band claimed that “appropriate actions are being taken” and royalties were being donated to the Harris campaign.
Finally, Isaac Hayes’ estate sued the Trump campaign over the use of his hit song “Hold On, I’m Coming.” A judge issued an emergency mandatory hearing, and ruled in Hayes’ favor. The judge prohibited the song to be used at any future Trump campaign gatherings.
Featured Image by John D Shearer/Shutterstock
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