Isaac Hayes’ son: don’t tie Trump to dad’s legacy

The son of legendary soul singer Isaac Hayes expressed his desire to disassociate his father’s music and legacy from former President Donald Trump, as reported by Scripps News.

The musician’s family intends to take legal action against the Trump campaign for unauthorized use of the music. Hayes, who wrote Sam & Dave’s hit “Hold On I’m Coming,” which was played at Trump rallies, has not given permission for its use.

Isaac Hayes III, his son, stated during a Scripps News interview, “I just don’t want Isaac Hayes and ‘Hold On I’m Coming’ associated with Donald Trump for the type of individual he is.”

The family alleges that the Trump campaign has played “Hold On I’m Coming” 135 times without obtaining proper permission or licensing.

Hayes III expressed concerns, saying, “I’m a brother to seven sisters, and Donald Trump has been found liable of sexual abuse, and he says disgusting things about women. The stuff he says about Vice President [Kamala] Harris — I don’t want our family’s music or my dad’s legacy associated with Donald Trump in any way.”

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Accompanied by his attorney, James Walker, Hayes III mentioned that legal action has been sought for two years, with a cease-and-desist letter going unanswered.

Walker stated, “The first thing they got to do is pull it down — stop using it. The second thing they got to do is pay him for all of the uses. And when you look at a license like this, you’re talking millions of dollars, when you’re talking 134 plus uses.”

Hayes III emphasized his father’s stance, saying “he wouldn’t want [his music] to be used by the former president.”

“This isn’t political for me. It’s more about the character of Donald Trump,” he added. “My father had a lot of his rights — his music — stolen, and so ownership is extremely important to me.”

The family secured the rights to “Hold On I’m Coming” in 2022.

Several other artists, including Adele, Celine Dion, John Fogarty, and Earth, Wind & Fire, have raised similar concerns about the unauthorized use of their music by the Trump campaign.

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