The White Stripes Sue Donald Trump Over "Seven Nation Army"

The rock group The White Stripes have filed a lawsuit against former President Donald Trump's campaign for using their iconic song "Seven Nation Army" in a since-deleted campaign video.

• Lead singer and guitarist Jack White posted the front cover of the lawsuit, filed in New York District Court, on his Instagram page with the caption "This machine sues fascists," referencing folk singer Woody Guthrie's inscription on his guitar, "This machine kills fascists."
• The lawsuit charges Donald Trump and his campaign with "flagrant misappropriation" and seeks unspecified monetary damages and an injunction preventing further use of their music.
• The White Stripes had previously denounced Trump's use of "Seven Nation Army" during his 2016 campaign and expressed their vehement opposition to his policies.

Donald Trump's History of Music Lawsuits

This isn't the first time Donald Trump has faced legal action over using music in his campaigns. Several artists have sued the former president for unauthorized use of their music.

• Artists who have previously sued Donald Trump over music use include:
  • ABBA
  • Isaac Hayes
  • Eddy Grant
  • Neil Young
  • Beyoncé
  • Celine Dion

The White Stripes' Opposition to Donald Trump

The White Stripes have been vocal about their opposition to Donald Trump's policies and ideology, calling him a "fascist" and refusing to allow the use of their music in his campaigns. This lawsuit further underlines their stance against the former president.

• Jack White's Instagram post and the lawsuit itself clearly indicate the band's disapproval of Donald Trump and his actions.
• The White Stripes' action underscores the broader trend of artists taking a stand against the use of their music by political campaigns with whom they disagree.

"Seven Nation Army" - A Song Beyond Its Origins

Released in 2003, "Seven Nation Army" has transcended its garage-rock origins and become a global phenomenon.

• The song has found widespread use in sports arenas and is the unofficial anthem of Italy's national soccer team.
• This lawsuit highlights how artists can assert their rights to control the use of their music, even when it has gained widespread popularity and cultural significance.

The White Stripes' Legal Action Against Donald Trump: Implications

The White Stripes' lawsuit against Donald Trump's campaign underscores the growing trend of artists asserting their rights and taking a stand against the use of their music for political purposes, particularly by candidates they oppose.

• The lawsuit could influence future campaigns and raise awareness about artists' rights to control the use of their work.
• It also highlights the increasing tension between artists and politicians, particularly in a polarized political landscape.

The Future of "Seven Nation Army" in Politics

Given the White Stripes' strong stance against using their song for political purposes, it remains to be seen whether "Seven Nation Army" will continue to appear in future political campaigns.

• This lawsuit could set a precedent for other artists who wish to prevent the use of their music by politicians they oppose.
• The case could also influence how campaigns approach obtaining permission to use music in their campaigns.