White Stripes sue Donald Trump over song use in campaign video

Jack White and his ex-wife Meg White stopped making music together in 2011. However, their biggest hits, especially "Seven Nation Army," remain iconic in pop culture. Fans of The White Stripes' work did not expect 2024 to bring a kind of comeback for the duo. Even more so, they did not expect it to be a response to former President Donald Trump's actions.

On 9 September, Jack White posted a scan of the lawsuit on Instagram, which he and Meg White filed against Donald Trump in a New York court. White captioned the post with the words: "This machine sues fascists." It concerns the unauthorized use of the duo’s iconic rock anthem "Seven Nation Army" in a presidential campaign video for the Republican candidate. The spot lasts just 10 seconds and can be viewed below:

Magazine "The Rolling Stone" obtained the full text of the lawsuit. According to The White Stripes, Trump and his associates committed "gross misappropriation" of the hit when they used its "highly distinctive and instantly recognizable opening riff." It was used as the soundtrack for a video showing Trump boarding a plane heading to Michigan and Wisconsin, which will play a crucial role in the November elections in the USA. The lawsuit alleges that Trump’s team shared the video on X and Instagram, trying to fill their campaign with "energy," "excitement," and cash.

Jack White previously announced on Instagram that he would file the lawsuit when the distinctive riff clip appeared on social media. He wrote at the time: "Oh....Don't even think about using my music you fascists. Law suit coming from my lawyers about this (to add to your 5 thousand others)."

The incident in question took place on 28 August at a military cemetery in Arlington, Texas. Trump’s staff members allegedly pushed and insulted a cemetery official who did not agree to the recording of a video in the part of the necropolis where recently deceased American soldiers are buried.

The White Stripes have joined a long list of music stars who do not want their work to be used by Donald Trump. Previously, Céline Dion, Foo Fighters, Neil Young, ABBA, Village People, and the heirs of Sinéad O’Connor expressed their opposition. In contrast, Kamala Harris enters every meeting with voters to the sounds of the hit "Freedom," which Beyoncé "gifted her" for the campaign. On 10 September, Taylor Swift announced her support for Harris.