The estate of Isaac Hayes has reached a settlement with Donald Trump, ending a closely watched copyright lawsuit over the unauthorized use of the 1966 hit Hold On, I’m Coming at Trump rallies.
Hold On, I’m Coming, recorded by Sam and Dave and co-written by Isaac Hayes alongside David Porter, was allegedly played as outro music at Trump rallies at least 133 times between 2020 and 2024. Hayes, who died in 2008, and his heirs claimed 50% ownership in the song’s composition.
The lawsuit was originally filed in August 2024. A joint stipulation of dismissal with prejudice was filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of Georgia on Monday (February 23), confirming that the case has been “mutually resolved.” The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
The dismissal with prejudice means the case cannot be refiled. You can see the filing here.
In a statement, Isaac Hayes III, President and CEO of Isaac Hayes Enterprises, said the family was “satisfied with the outcome.”
The full statement from the Hayes family and the Estate of Isaac Hayes can be seen below:
“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.
“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.
“We would like to extend sincerest gratitude to our counsel James L. Walker Jr. and Brittney R. Dobbins, our copyright administrator Liz Garner, and the Walker and Associates team, for their outstanding work and collaborative effort throughout this process. Their diligence, professionalism, and strategic guidance were instrumental in reaching this resolution.”
At the center of the legal dispute was a complex chain of copyright ownership. The Hayes estate argued that it had recaptured its rights in the song from Warner Chappell Music in 2022 under the US Copyright Act’s termination provisions, which allow original authors (or their heirs) to reclaim rights from publishers after 56 years for pre-1978 works.
However, in April 2025, Judge Thomas Thrash Jr. denied Trump’s motion to dismiss, finding that the plaintiffs had adequately alleged ownership despite what the judge acknowledged were “quite a few” problems with the complaint.
The court also found during earlier proceedings that performing rights organization BMI had notified the Trump campaign in June 2024 that the owners of Hold On, I’m Coming objected to its use, effectively removing the song from the campaign’s blanket license.
Trump’s lawyers subsequently dropped the argument that the campaign had a valid license from BMI for the song.
The Hayes case is by no means the only one in which the Trump campaign has found itself in conflict with a popular artist or group over the use of their music.
Dozens of artists, from ABBA to the White Stripes, have at one point or another objected to the Trump campaign’s use of their music.
The Foo Fighters said in 2024 that they had not OK’d the use of their track My Hero at Trump rallies. Also, that summer, the Trump campaign deleted a video featuring Beyonce’s Freedom after the singer blocked use of the song.
However, the Hayes case was notable for being one of the few such disputes to progress to a substantive legal battle — and for raising important questions about copyright termination rights and ownership documentation.
Music Business Worldwide