Dozens of top artists and songwriters have objected to Donald Trump ‘s use of their songs at political rallies since he first ran for president in 2015 — among them The Rolling Stones , Adele , Rihanna , Sinead O’Connor ‘s estate and Aerosmith ‘s Steven Tyler . “Consider this s— shut down right now,” Johnny Marr said in January when Trump played The Smiths ‘ “Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want” at several rallies. After Trump used Sam and Dave’s “Hold On, I’m Comin’” at a 2022 NRA rally, its co-writer, David Porter , was even more succinct, tweeting: “Hell to the NO!” But artists’ record for successful song takedowns has been spotty.
After Tyler’s reps sent multiple cease-and-desist orders objecting to the use of Aerosmith’s “Dream On,” they received the following response from law firm Jones Day: “Without admitting liability, and to avoid any future dispute ...
the Trump Campaign will not use your client’s music,” the letter read in part. Yet as recently as July 31 , in Harrisburg, Pa., Trump has been using “Hold On, I’m Comin'” to close his rallies — prompting the estate of co-writer Isaac Hayes to announce it would take legal action .
According to James L. Walker Jr. , an attorney for Hayes Enterprises, the estate is “investigating” the Trump campaign’s use of the song and is considering a lawsuit.
“Everything’s on the table,” he says. “It is most unfortunate that these artists have public.