Musician Takes Unexpected Step Over Unauthorized Use of His Song

Jack White threatens to sue Donald Trump’s campaign over unauthorized use of his music, reigniting a contentious debate over artists’ rights.

At a Glance

Jack White criticized Donald Trump’s campaign for the 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.
Trump’s campaign has faced numerous demands and lawsuits over the unauthorized use of music since 2015.
White’s legal threat adds to a list of musicians opposing the use of their music by Trump’s campaign.

White’s Furious Response to Unauthorized Use

Acclaimed musician Jack White has issued a stern warning to ex-President Donald Trump, threatening legal action over the unauthorized use of his song “Seven Nation Army” at political events. White, noted for his work with The White Stripes and his solo career, vehemently opposes the use of his music in a political context that misrepresents his stances.

White took to Instagram to express his anger, calling Trump and his team “fascists” and emphasizing his disappointment over the misuse of his work. His strong language highlights the emotional and ethical stakes involved in the unauthorized performance of artist’s music at political rallies.

Historical Context and Additional Allegations

This is not the first confrontation Jack White has had with Trump’s campaign over music. Back in 2016, White and his former bandmate Meg White demanded the removal of their hit “Seven Nation Army” from a pro-Trump video. Their stance remains firm, as evidenced by legal threats that resurfaced with this latest incident.

Trump’s campaign has repeatedly faced backlash for unauthorized use of songs. The Foo Fighters, Beyoncé, ABBA, and Celine Dion are some of the prominent artists who have contested the use of their music at Trump rallies. These artists, like White, insist that the use of their music falsely implies their endorsement of Trump’s political agenda.

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

The Instagram Post that Sparked a Firestorm

White is not holding back in his social media confrontations. His Instagram post openly called out Trump’s communications director Margo Martin and included a harsh critique of Trump, calling him a “scum” for supposedly insulting veterans. This inflammatory language reflects White’s personal and public disapproval of Trump’s actions and the perceived misuse of his art.

White’s rhetoric coupled with his potential legal actions exemplify the larger struggle artists face in retaining control over how their work is used. These frequent clashes illustrate the complicated intersection of political expression and artistic rights in today’s heated political climate.

An Ongoing Issue for Trump’s Campaign

The Trump campaign has not yet responded to White’s latest criticisms or legal threats. However, Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung previously claimed that the campaign had required permission to use Foo Fighters’ “My Hero” at a rally, pointing towards a history of contentious interactions between artists and the campaign.

Universal Music and Polar Music International also issued legal notices to Trump’s campaign for unauthorized use of ABBA songs. The persistent issue of unauthorized music use continues to plague Trump’s events, raising serious questions about intellectual property rights.

“Oh… Don’t even think about using my music you fascists.” – Jack White

White’s legal threats join a long list of musicians who have taken a stand against political associations. The struggle to protect artistic work from unauthorized usage in such charged environments harms public trust and damages the artist’s brand. These legal conflicts underscore fundamental issues about respect for intellectual property and the ethical use of culturally significant works.