The White Stripes vs. Trump: Music, misappropriation, and a lawsuit in the making

CYMI: The White Stripes recently filed a lawsuit against Donald Trump’s campaign, accusing it of using their iconic song "Seven Nation Army" in a promotional video without permission.

In other words, it looks like Trump's team once again failed to consult a handy dandy guide about "Can you use someone else's song in a promotional video [without their permission]?"

Sure, technically you can use things without permission, and perhaps get away with it, but is it recommended practice? That would be a big fat "No." Keep in mind, too, that Trump and his team aren't just some "randos" out there making a YouTube video. He's the chosen Presidential candidate for one of the largest, most powerful political parties in the entire world, and he presumably has some sort of legal team (even if their law degrees were earned out of a Cracker Jack box).

Anyway, the MAGA video, which has since been deleted, prompted the band to take legal action, seeking to block further use of their music and asking for financial compensation to the artists. Jack White, the band’s lead singer and guitarist, shared news of the lawsuit on his Instagram page, with one post sharing the campaign video and another displaying the front cover of the legal filing with the caption, "This machine sues fascists."

Of course, someone (likely a Trump loyalist) responded to Mr. White's post, attempting to use White's own words against him, utilizing a comment about how the song has a life of its own in pop culture:
“It’s not mine anymore; it becomes folk music when things like that happen. The more people don’t know where it came from, the happier I am. You know, the more ubiquitous it becomes. I’m sure many people chanting the melody have no idea what the song is or where it came from or whatever. It doesn’t matter anymore. It’s amazing.”

No, "Seven Nation Army"' by The White Stripes is not public domain

Of course, the argument that "Seven Nation Army" is public domain will hold up in court, as Jack White's words were a statement about how music gradually becomes part of a folk tradition. It was not a comment on who technically can claim legal ownership over music in a US court of law. Trump would have the right to claim he can use it fairly, if the case ever makes it that far.

Of course, speaking of folk tradition: White's quote "This machine sues fascists" is a nod to folk legend Woody Guthrie, who famously wrote "This machine kills fascists" on his guitar as a political message during the 1940s.

So White feels extra animated to get Trump to stop using that song. In fact, the lawsuit, filed in New York District Court, also lists drummer Meg White as a plaintiff. Both Jack and Meg accuse Trump and his campaign of "flagrant misappropriation" of their work.

This could have been avoided

It should also be noted that, if Trump's team thinks things through, they can fix problems before they become problems. In this case, they can start simply using music with permission, or old recordings of songs that likely fall in public domain, like generic recordings of "God Bless America." Actually, The White Stripes had previously expressed frustration over Trump’s use of their music, particularly during his 2016 campaign, and made it clear that they oppose his policies and actions as president.

The lawsuit highlights the duo’s continued disapproval of Trump’s political agenda (no doubt including the 2024 Trump campaign’s "anti-white racism" anti-"DEI" rhetoric), especially as he campaigns for another term. A week before the lawsuit was made public, Jack White had hinted at legal action in response to a Trump campaign staffer posting the video featuring "Seven Nation Army." On August 29, White posted on Instagram: "Don’t even think about using my music you fascists. Lawsuit coming from my lawyers about this (to add to your 5 thousand others)."

The White Stripes highlight a casual disregard for laws and legal norms

Jack White's post not only reflected his anger over the unauthorized use but also referenced Trump’s ongoing legal troubles, emphasizing White’s intent to hold the campaign accountable for its casual disregard for the law. So not only do we have the “big lie” that the 2020 election was stolen and Trump's call for the suspension of parts of the U.S. Constitution, but he won't even use artists' music like Kid Rock or Ted Nugent — who praise him endlessly — instead of further annoying bands that hate his guts!

The lawsuit adds The White Stripes to a growing list of artists who have taken legal steps against Trump for using their music without consent. Others who have pursued similar actions include Abba, Isaac Hayes, Eddy Grant, Neil Young, Beyoncé, and Celine Dion. These artists, like The White Stripes, have publicly opposed Trump’s use of their work, particularly in political contexts that clash with their personal and artistic values.

More on "Seven Nation Army"

"Seven Nation Army," released in 2003, is probably The White Stripes’ most famous song. The track, which features Jack White’s distorted guitar riff (at times augmented to simulate a bass) and Meg White’s steady drumming, became a global sensation, transcending its garage-rock roots. While initially celebrated within the alternative rock community, the song gained a life of its own in mainstream culture.

It has become a staple at sports events, particularly in soccer stadiums, where it is often chanted by fans. The song even became the unofficial anthem of Italy’s national soccer team.

More about The White Stripes

The White Stripes, formed in 1997 in Detroit, quickly rose to prominence with their raw, minimalist sound, often blending blues, punk, folk rock, and country music. The band's breakthrough came with their 2001 album White Blood Cells, but it was their 2003 release Elephant — featuring "Seven Nation Army" — that catapulted them into worldwide fame.

Despite their success, the duo maintained a fiercely independent ethos, often shunning mainstream trends and embracing a stripped-down approach to music and performance. In 2011, The White Stripes officially disbanded, but their legacy continues to influence rock music today. Jack White has since pursued a successful solo career and founded the record label Third Man Records, while Meg White has largely remained out of the public eye.

However, when someone on Twitter attacked Meg's simple drumming style, Jack White sprang to her defense, saying in poetic form: "To be born in another time, any era but our own would’ve been fine...Some other distant, different, time...One without demons, cowards and vampires out for blood, one with the positive inspiration to foster what is good. To have bliss upon bliss upon bliss, to be without fear, negativity or pain, and to get up every morning, and be happy to do it all again.

It seems that poem could be applied to other situations as well.

How this lawsuit fits The White Stripes and Trump universes

Whether the legal battle unfolds further or not, Trump’s campaign apparently has yet to respond to the lawsuit, and a spokesperson did not immediately comment on the case. For The White Stripes, however, the message is clear — they want to protect their music from being co-opted for political purposes they strongly oppose. Right on.

We previously noted that Trump has played The Smiths' song "Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want," and the campaign also awkwardly played Celine Dion's theme from the film Titanic, which is objectively a film about a famous sinking ship (Perhaps the most famous sinking ship! It's a tremendous sinking ship! There were more people on that sinking ship than any other sinking ship!). Maybe Celine should just let that song remain as the Trump theme.