Jack White has publicly threatened to sue Donald Trump’s campaign for unauthorized use of a White Stripes song. The dispute began when Trump’s Deputy Director of Communications, Margo Martin, posted a now-deleted video on social media featuring the song “Seven Nation Army.” In response, White took to Instagram, warning Trump’s team of an impending lawsuit, humorously noting it would be one among “5 thousand others.”
White was not just upset about the unauthorized music use; he also criticized Trump’s team for a recent incident at Arlington National Cemetery, where they reportedly violated no-photo rules. This incident added fuel to White’s anger, prompting him to express his disdain for the former president and his actions, including an explicit call for military families to reconsider their support for Trump.
The musician’s outrage aligns with a broader pattern of artists who have opposed the use of their music at political events without permission. White joins a long list of performers such as ABBA, Beyoncé, Celine Dion, and the Foo Fighters, who have all voiced their objections to their music being co-opted by Trump’s campaign. These artists have repeatedly sought to distance themselves from political affiliations, particularly when their work is used without consent.
This latest threat of legal action reflects a growing frustration among artists over the use of their intellectual property in political campaigns. White’s stance is a reminder of the ongoing battle between creatives and political entities over the rights to artistic works and the broader implications of their unauthorized use in public and political domains.
