Donald Trump did the impossible. He got The White Stripes to reunite.
When Jack and Meg White dissolved The White Stripes in 2011, we were told–and believed–that this was it. The group was no more. Jack has moved on to a successful career as a solo artist, producer, and music business entrepreneur. Meg White has retreated into happy obscurity. A reunion? Never.
Then Donald Trump came along.
Trump’s campaign started using the Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army” at his rallies in 2016, something that caused Jack and Meg some serious consternation. Then Trump started using the song again in 2024, not as part of public appearances but in social media posts. This is a different use of the song entirely and is covered by different laws and agreements.
This new provocation did not sit well with Jack. Not well at all. I quote from an Instagram post:
“Don’t even think about using my music you fascists. And as long as I’m here, a double f*ck you DonOLD for insulting our nation’s veterans at Arlington you scum. You should lose every military family’s vote immediately from that if ANYTHING makes sense anymore.”
He called up Meg and explained the situation. Now the two of them are back together to sue Donald Trump for unauthorized use of the song. Trump’s people did not ask for or obtain any kind of permission to use “Seven Nation Army” in any way. The Stripes’ lawyers sent pre-litigation offers to the campaign to give them a chance to avoid further action, but they didn’t respond.
Nice one, Donald. Wouldn’t it be cool if Jack and Meg played a stop on the Harris campaign? Oh, and here’s a list of all the musicians who don’t want Trump using their music.
