Jack White and Meg White, members of The White Stripes, have taken legal action by filing a lawsuit in New York against Donald Trump and Margo Martin, the Deputy Communications Director for the Republican presidential candidate. They have accused Trump of “flagrant misappropriation” after Martin used their song “Seven Nation Army” in a campaign video posted on social media on August 29, showing Donald Trump boarding a plane. According to Variety, the lawsuit states that Trump and his associates knew or should have known that the use was unauthorized and that it violated their rights under the Copyright Law.
In their lawsuit, Jack and Meg, who have kept The White Stripes inactive, made it clear that they “vehemently oppose the policies adopted and measures taken by defendant Trump during his presidency and those he has proposed for the second term he is seeking.” The White Stripes are claiming “significant monetary damages,” arguing that the song is “one of the most well-known and influential musical works of all time.”
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This is not the first time that Trump has faced legal challenges for the unauthorized use of music. Artists such as Neil Young, Beyoncé, Foo Fighters, and Céline Dion have also complained about Trump using their songs without permission. In a similar recent case, a federal judge in Atlanta ruled that Trump’s campaign must stop using the song “Hold On, I’m Coming” after a lawsuit filed by the estate of musician Isaac Hayes Jr.
“Seven Nation Army,” released in 2003 as part of The White Stripes’ album “Elephant,” has since gained iconic status in popular culture, becoming a recognizable anthem at sports events and other public spaces. The White Stripes disbanded in 2011, citing the need to “mostly to preserve what is beautiful and special about the band” rather than artistic differences. They initially formed in 1997 in Detroit, Michigan, and became part of the garage rock resurgence of the 1960s, characterized by its low fidelity sound and simple compositions and arrangements inspired by punk rock, blues rock, folk rock, and country music. Their albums “White Blood Cells” and “Elephant” established them on the international music scene.According to intellectual property lawyer Jason Rosenblum, the use of music in a video requires a synchronization license, which usually involves direct negotiation with the holder of the rights to the recorded song. He commented, “If Trump’s campaign or whoever posted the video didn’t get those rights, the White Stripes should have a strong case against them.”
