The estate of the late Isaac Hayes has settled a lawsuit regarding the song “Hold On, I’m Comin.'”
USA Today reported that the 1966 song, written by Hayes and David Porter and performed by Sam & Dave (Sam Moore and Dave Prater), was used by Donald Trump during his presidential campaign at least 133 times without permission. A copyright infringement lawsuit was filed against Trump in 2024, seeking $3 million in licensing fees, a ban on further use of the song in the campaign, and removal of campaign videos featuring it, according to a previous USA Today article.
Isaac Hayes III, the son of the late musician and president of The Estate of Isaac Hayes, shared his distaste for the president and struck down his use of the song in a now-deleted Instagram post from 2024, per the outlet.
“Donald Trump epitomizes a lack of integrity and class, not only through his continuous use of my father’s music without permission but also through his history of sexual abuse against women and his racist rhetoric,” Hayes III wrote on Instagram at the time, according to the previous USA Today article. “This behavior will no longer be tolerated, and we will take swift action to put an end to it.”
The matter has since been “mutually resolved,” Hayes III announced Feb. 23 via a new Instagram post. However, the dollar amount of the settlement was not shared.
“The Hayes family and the Estate of Isaac Hayes, Jr. announce that the lawsuit filed against Donald John Trump and Donald J. Trump for President 2024, Inc., regarding their use of ‘Hold On, I’m Comin’ has been mutually resolved, and we are satisfied with the outcome. This resolution represents more than the conclusion of a legal matter. It reaffirms the importance of protecting intellectual property rights and copyrights, especially as they relate to legacy, ownership, and the responsible use of creative works,” the statement read.
It continued, “Isaac Hayes, Jr. dedicated his life to his craft, and his contributions to music and culture carry enduring value. As stewards of his legacy, we remain committed to ensuring that his work is respected and properly protected. We are proud that this matter has helped further a broader conversation surrounding intellectual property rights and the obligation to honor creators and their estates. Protecting ownership is not only about the past, it is about preserving dignity, value, and accountability for future generations.”
Hayes III also extended gratitude to those who assisted in resolving the matter. Listed were counsel James L. Walker Jr. and Brittney R. Dobbins; copyright administrator Liz Garner; and the Walker and Associates team.
