In 2024, The White Stripes—Jack and Meg White—filed a lawsuit against former President Donald Trump and his campaign for using their song Seven Nation Army without permission. This case highlights a growing trend of artists taking legal action to control the political use of their music.
The Lawsuit: White Stripes Take Legal Action
In September 2024, The White Stripes sued Trump’s campaign in federal court for using Seven Nation Army in a campaign video. Despite prior warnings and cease-and-desist letters, the campaign continued to use the song, forcing the band to take legal action. The lawsuit accuses the campaign of copyright infringement and emphasizes the duo’s opposition to Trump’s policies.
Artists vs. Politicians: The Legal Battle
This case is part of a broader trend of musicians clashing with politicians over unauthorized music use. Bruce Springsteen, Adele, and Neil Young have objected to their songs being played at political events. These disputes often center around copyright law and licensing agreements for public performances.
Political campaigns often secure public performance rights through blanket licenses from organizations like ASCAP or BMI. However, artists can object to the use of their music in politically charged contexts. The White Stripes, for example, have openly opposed Trump’s political platform, adding another layer to the dispute.
Can Artists Control Their Music in Political Campaigns?
The lawsuit raises an important question: Can artists control how their music is used politically?
While licensing agreements protect artists to some extent, it’s not always clear-cut. Politicians often obtain general licenses, allowing them to play songs at events. However, when campaigns use music in promotional materials, it often falls under copyright infringement, giving artists more grounds to challenge unauthorized use.
For The White Stripes, this lawsuit serves as a clear stance against Trump’s political message. Jack White has publicly voiced his disapproval of Trump’s policies, using both legal action and social media to distance himself from the former president.
The Growing Trend: Music and Politics
The White Stripes are not alone in taking legal action. In 2020, Neil Young sued Trump’s campaign for using Rockin’ in the Free World without permission. Similarly, Tom Petty’s estate issued a cease-and-desist order when Trump used I Won’t Back Down in 2020. These cases show a growing trend of musicians protecting their work from associations with political figures they oppose.
This trend underscores how music and politics intersect, with artists increasingly taking a stand to maintain the integrity of their art.
Conclusion: Artists Taking a Stand
Music Industry Weekly acknowledges that The White Stripes’ legal battle against Donald Trump is part of a larger struggle within the music industry. Musicians want to control how their music is used in political campaigns. While legal victories can be challenging, these cases reflect a growing desire among artists to protect their work from political messaging that doesn’t align with their values. As more musicians take a stand, we may see reforms that give artists more control over their music in politically charged environments.
