Isaac Hayes Estate Resolves Lawsuit Against Trump Campaign

The two parties have reached a mutual agreement over the use of the classic song "Hold On (I'm Coming)".

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The estate of legendary R&B singer Isaac Hayes has announced that its lawsuit against the Donald Trump campaign over the unauthorized use of the classic Hayes-penned song "Hold On (I'm Coming)" at political rallies has been "mutually resolved". According to an Instagram post by Isaac Hayes III, the president of the estate, the two parties are satisfied with the outcome, which reaffirms the importance of protecting intellectual property rights and the responsible use of creative works.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenges around the use of copyrighted material, especially by public figures and political campaigns. It underscores the need to respect the intellectual property rights of artists and their estates, and to properly license and attribute the use of creative works.

The details

The Hayes estate sued the Trump campaign in August 2024, demanding they stop using the song "Hold On (I'm Coming)" and seeking $3 million in licensing fees for its unauthorized use between 2022 and 2024. In a statement, the estate said the resolution of the case "represents more than the conclusion of a legal matter" and "reaffirms the importance of protecting intellectual property rights and copyrights, especially as they relate to legacy, ownership, and the responsible use of creative works."

  • The lawsuit was filed in August 2024.
  • The case was resolved and dismissed on Monday, February 24, 2026.

The players

Isaac Hayes Estate

The estate of legendary R&B singer Isaac Hayes, which is led by his son Isaac Hayes III and is responsible for protecting the singer's intellectual property and creative legacy.

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States, whose campaign was sued by the Isaac Hayes Estate for the unauthorized use of the song "Hold On (I'm Coming)" at his political rallies.

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What they’re saying

“This resolution represents more than the conclusion of a legal matter. It reaffirms the importance of protecting intellectual property rights and copyrights, especially as they relate to legacy, ownership, and the responsible use of creative works.”

— Isaac Hayes III, President of the Isaac Hayes Estate (Instagram)

What’s next

The details of the mutual resolution between the Isaac Hayes Estate and the Trump campaign have not been publicly disclosed.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing need to respect the intellectual property rights of artists and their estates, and to properly license and attribute the use of creative works, even by high-profile public figures and political campaigns.