Musician Goes After Trump for Unapproved Rally Soundtrack

Jack White threatens to sue Donald Trump for unauthorized use of his song at political rallies, alleging misrepresentation and copyright infringement.

At a Glance

Jack White threatens legal action against Trump for unauthorized use of “Seven Nation Army”
White’s Instagram post called Trump and his team “fascists”
White urged military families to withdraw support from Trump
The Trump campaign has yet to respond to White’s allegations
Other musicians, including Foo Fighters, Beyoncé, and ABBA, have also contested Trump’s use of their music

Jack White Takes Legal Stand Against Trump Campaign

Musician Jack White, known for his work with The White Stripes and his solo career, has threatened legal action against former President Donald Trump over the unauthorized use of his song “Seven Nation Army” at political rallies. White contends that the use violates his intellectual property rights and misrepresents his personal views. This incident is part of a broader issue surrounding the use of popular music by political campaigns without consent.

White aired his grievances in an Instagram post, describing Trump and his team as “fascists”. He wrote, “Don’t even think about using my music you fascists.” This statement reflects White’s strong disapproval of Trump’s actions and sets the stage for his potential legal battle. The video in question was posted by Margo Martin, Trump’s Deputy Director of Communications, and has since been deleted.

White has been vocal about his disdain for Trump, particularly criticizing the former president for allegedly insulting veterans. He called for military families to withdraw their support from Trump, stating, “a double f— you DonOLD for insulting our nation’s veterans at Arlington you scum. You should lose every military family’s vote immediately from that if ANYTHING makes sense anymore.” White’s strong language highlights the personal nature of his objections.

Jack White Threatens Donald Trump Campaign With Lawsuit: ‘Don’t Even Think About Using My Music’ https://t.co/9DL1ddSD77

— billboard (@billboard) August 29, 2024

Broader Context: Unauthorized Use of Music and Political Campaigns

This is not the first time Trump’s campaign has faced backlash over the use of popular music. The Trump campaign has faced numerous demands and lawsuits since 2015 regarding unauthorized music usage. Recently, artists like Foo Fighters, Beyoncé, and ABBA have contested the use of their songs as well.

White issued a message to Trump over Twitter “Don’t even think about using my music you fascists,”

White and his former bandmate Meg White demanded the removal of “Seven Nation Army” from a pro-Trump video in 2016. Universal Music also issued a legal notice to Trump’s campaign for unauthorized use of ABBA songs. Previously, musicians such as Celine Dion and Foo Fighters have publicly disavowed the campaign’s use of their music.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

The legal landscape for unauthorized music usage in political campaigns is complex. Artists can opt-out of ASCAP and BMI licenses, which means any unauthorized use could result in fines up to $150,000 per instance. White’s stance on this issue underscores the importance of respecting intellectual property rights and the ethical implications of unauthorized music use.

“The White Stripes would like to unequivocally state that they have nothing whatsoever to do with this video,” White stated. “They are disgusted by this association, and by the illegal use of their song.”

White’s legal threat adds to a growing list of musicians taking a stand against the unauthorized use of their work by political campaigns. This ongoing conflict between artists and political figures brings to light the need for clear legal guidelines and ethical standards in how music is employed in the political arena.