Musician Considers Legal Action Over Political Figure’s Event Music Choices

Trump

Jack White threatens legal action against Donald Trump for the unauthorized use of his music at political events.

At a Glance

  • Jack White criticized Donald Trump’s campaign for unauthorized use of his song “Seven Nation Army.”
  • White expressed his discontent in an Instagram post, calling Trump and his team “fascists” and threatening legal action.
  • White criticized Trump for insulting veterans and called for military families to withdraw their support for him.
  • Artists like Foo Fighters and ABBA have also contested the use of their songs by the Trump campaign.

Jack White’s Legal Threat

American musician Jack White, best known for his role in The White Stripes and his solo career, has threatened to sue former President Donald Trump for using his music at political events without permission. White declared that Trump’s use of “Seven Nation Army” misrepresents his viewpoints and tarnishes his brand integrity. This highlights the ongoing legal and ethical battle surrounding the unauthorized use of music in political contexts.

White has been vocal about his discontent, sharing on Instagram his frustration with Trump and his team, whom he labeled as “fascists.” He added that a lawsuit was forthcoming. His post conveyed strong feelings against Trump’s actions, reflecting the musician’s commitment to preserving his work’s integrity and conveying his disdain for the unauthorized use.

Impact on Political Campaigns

White’s criticisms are not limited to the unauthorized use of his music. He also condemned Trump for past insults directed at veterans, urging military families to reconsider their support. This strong stance underscores the broader political and social implications of the unauthorized use of music at campaign events.

“Law suit coming from my lawyers about this (to add to your 5 thousand others.) Have a great day at work today Margo Martin. And as long as I’m here, 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.”

The video in question was posted by Trump communications director Margo Martin and has since been deleted. Despite this, White’s criticism remains poignant. The incident adds to the mounting list of legal challenges the Trump campaign faces over music rights, as other artists also oppose the use of their music.

Broader Legal Context

White’s legal threat follows a trend of musicians objecting to the use of their music by political campaigns. Foo Fighters, Beyoncé, ABBA, and others have all contested similar issues. Such actions highlight the complexities surrounding intellectual property rights within the political arena.

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

Artists can opt out of ASCAP and BMI licenses, holding campaigns liable for unauthorized uses of their music. This can incur penalties up to $150,000 per instance. The Trump campaign has faced numerous such demands since 2015.

Sources

1. Jack White Threatens ‘Fascist’ Trump Campaign with Lawsuit

2. Jack White Threatens Donald Trump With Lawsuit Over Music Usage

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