The family of late singer-songwriter Isaac Hayes are threatening to sue Donald Trump's campaign for using his song at events without permission.
The family of the late R&B legend posted a copy of their cease-and-desist letter to the presidential candidate on social media on Sunday.
In the document, the family claimed that Trump's campaign used Sam & Dave's song Hold On, I'm Coming, which Hayes co-wrote, without authorisation 134 times between 2022 and 2024.
They went on to outline their demands. They want the Trump campaign to stop playing the song, take down all videos of the track being played at political events, and issue a statement acknowledging that the Hayes estate had not "authorized, endorsed or permitted" use of the song.
The family also want the campaign to pay $3 million (£2.3 million) in licensing fees, which they claim is "a very discounted fee for the normal licence fee associated with this many multiple uses".
If Trump and his campaign staff fail to respond to the letter by 16 August, the family's legal team "will proceed with litigation".
Hayes' son, record producer Isaac Hayes III, claimed on social media that the family had repeatedly asked the Trump team to stop using Hold On, I'm Coming, but their requests had been ignored.
"This behavior will no longer be tolerated, and we will take swift action to put an end to it," he declared on Instagram.
Hold On, I'm Coming was released by soul duo Sam & Dave in 1966. The copyright for the song returned to the Hayes family in March 2022.
Hayes passed away in 2008 aged 65.
Many musicians have taken issue with the Trump campaign playing their work without permission. Most recently, Celine Dion slammed the politician for using My Heart Will Go On at a rally in Montana.
