Isaac Hayes' Estate Reaches Settlement With Trump Over Unauthorized Use of 'Hold on, I'm Coming'

The late soul icon's family said they "are satisfied with the outcome" of the settlement following the legal battle with the former president.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The family of the late soul icon Isaac Hayes has reached a settlement with former President Donald Trump after suing him and his campaign for the unauthorized use of the Sam & Dave hit song 'Hold on, I'm Coming.' According to court documents, the terms of the settlement were not disclosed, but the Hayes estate said they were "satisfied with the outcome" following the legal battle over copyright infringement.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of protecting intellectual property rights and copyrights, especially when it comes to the legacies of creative artists. The Hayes family wanted to ensure that Isaac Hayes' work was not used to promote hatred or bigotry by political campaigns.

The details

In August 2024, the Grammy and Oscar-winner's estate sued Trump and his campaign for continued unauthorized use of the 1996 hit song 'Hold on, I'm Coming' at the president's campaign rallies from 2022 to 2024. The song was featured at more than 130 Trump rallies during that period, often playing before and after his stump speech, as well as at the 2024 Republican National Convention. A U.S. District Court judge later issued an emergency injunction ordering Trump to stop using the musician's songs at his rallies.

  • In August 2024, the Hayes estate sued Trump and his campaign.
  • In September 2024, a U.S. District Court judge issued an emergency injunction ordering Trump to stop using the musician's songs at his rallies.

The players

Isaac Hayes III

The late soul icon's son, who shared on social media that his father's estate was "satisfied with the outcome" of the settlement.

Donald Trump

The former president who was sued by the Hayes estate for the unauthorized use of the song 'Hold on, I'm Coming' at his campaign rallies.

U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Thrash Jr.

The judge who issued an emergency injunction ordering Trump to stop using the musician's songs at his rallies.

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What they’re saying

“The Hayes family and the Estate of Isaac Hayes, Jr. announce that the lawsuit filed against Donald John Trump and Donald J. Trump for President 2024, Inc., regarding their use of 'Hold On, I'm Comin' has been mutually resolved, and we are satisfied with the outcome.”

— Isaac Hayes III, Son of the late soul icon

“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, Son of the late soul icon

What’s next

The terms of the settlement were not disclosed, so it's unclear if there are any further actions or conditions related to the agreement.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for artists and their estates to vigilantly protect their intellectual property rights, especially when it comes to the use of their work by political campaigns that may not align with the artist's values and legacy.