Isaac Hayes' family demands $3M from Trump campaign over unauthorized use of his song

By Gozde Bayar

The family of the late soul legend Isaac Hayes has demanded that Donald Trump cease playing the song “Hold On, I'm Coming” at his campaign rallies, insisting on $3 million in licensing fees.

Hayes' son sent a legal notice to Trump and his team, which was also shared on social media, threatening to sue the former US president if he does not comply by August 16.

The family is demanding $3 million in licensing fees for the campaign’s repeated unauthorized use of the song between 2022 and 2024.

In the letter, the Hayes family claimed they had "asked repeatedly" for Trump to stop using the song but cited 134 instances where the campaign continued to do so regardless.

The song, co-written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter, was first performed by the duo Sam & Dave in 1966. Hayes passed away on August 10, 2008.