In a recent legal challenge, former President Donald Trump faced a court ruling against him after using the song “Electric Avenue” by Eddy Grant without authorization in a campaign advertisement.

This ruling comes over four years after Grant’s legal team initially filed their complaint. The lawsuit was based on a 40-second animated ad that depicted President Joe Biden seated on a rail cart as a Trump-Pence campaign vehicle went past.

Before being taken down when Grant’s lawsuit was launched in September 2020, the ad had attracted close to 14 million views on X (formerly known as Twitter).

U.S. District Judge John G. Koetl ruled from Manhattan that the fair use defense did not apply, which means Trump must now compensate for damages and Grant’s legal expenses.

The amount Trump will need to pay is yet to be disclosed; however, Grant’s original lawsuit sought $300,000 in damages. The precise figure will be decided by a jury or through a mutual agreement.

Trump Faces Multiple Lawsuits from Musicians

Eddy Grant is among numerous artists who have either threatened or filed lawsuits against Trump for utilizing their music in his campaign ads. Recently, the band The White Stripes also took legal action against him for copyright violation.

The latest controversy arose after lead singer Jack White warned Trump not to use their famous 2003 song “Seven Nation Army” in a video showing the former president getting onto a plane.

“Oh, don’t even think about using my music, you fascists,” White declared in an Instagram post. “Lawsuit incoming from my lawyers about this. Hope you have a productive workday, Margo Martin.”

Earlier this month, a federal judge in Atlanta determined that Trump could no longer use the song “Hold On, I’m Comin’” by Isaac Hayes after the singer’s family indicated they would pursue legal action over the song’s unauthorized use.

“Today, our family successfully obtained an injunction preventing @realdonaldtrump from playing @IsaacHayes3’s music again,” wrote Hayes’ son, Isaac Hayes III, on X. “We are pleased with the court’s ruling and will proceed with the lawsuit.”

The family has also filed a copyright infringement notice seeking $3 million after they allege the song was used over 130 times without permission.

Beyoncé similarly sent the Trump campaign a cease and desist letter after the campaign incorporated her song “Freedom” into a promotional ad shared by Trump’s spokesperson, Steven Cheung.

Although she denied Trump permission to use the song, she did authorize its use for Kamala Harris’s campaign in July.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for YSL News. Follow him on X @fern_cerv_.