Donald Trump has been banned from using the classic soul hit “Hold On, I’m Coming” at his campaign rallies after a federal judge ruled in favor of a lawsuit filed by the estate of the song's co-writer Isaac Hayes. Trump regularly played the 1966 track in his rally exit music, including at the Republican National Convention in July.

Last month, Isaac’s estate sued Trump, accusing him of copyright infringement due to the song’s repeated use. On Tuesday (Sept. 3) in Atlanta, U.S. District Judge Thomas Thrash granted a temporary injunction, preventing the former president from playing the track at future events. However, according to the Associated Press, the judge denied the estate’s request to force the Trump campaign to remove existing videos that feature the song.

“We are very grateful and happy for the decision by Judge Thrash,” the late singer’s son Isaac Hayes III told reporters. “Donald Trump has been barred from ever playing the music of Isaac Hayes again. I couldn’t ask for a better decision. I want this to serve as an opportunity for other artists to come forward that don’t want their music used by Donald Trump or other political entities and continue to fight for music artists’ rights and copyright.”

Hayes’ son shared that it had taken four years to address Trump’s use of the song, explaining to reporters that he had expressed his displeasure when the Republican played “Hold On, I’m Coming” at an NRA Convention soon after the Uvalde mass shooting in 2022. Hayes III mentioned that the estate issued a cease and desist order then, yet Trump continued to use the song despite the warning.

“I’ve never wanted this song to be associated with Donald Trump in the manner that he was using it…,” he continued. “My father was a father to seven daughters… Donald Trump has been found liable of sexual abuse. I know my father would not want that man playing his music. Some of the things he says about women, especially Black women and women of color, especially in this election… We have to take a stand that we want to separate ourselves from someone with Donald Trump’s character. This is not a political issue, this is a character issue.”

Trump’s lawyer, Ronald Coleman, described the ruling as "a wash," explaining that the campaign had already decided to stop using the song. "The campaign has no intention of upsetting or harming anyone, and if the Hayes family feels impacted, we’re more than willing to respect that," Coleman said. He also added that the team was "very pleased" Judge Thrash did not mandate the removal of all existing videos featuring the song.

Hayes passed away in 2008 at the age of 65.