Katy Perry slams White House for using ‘Firework’ in TikTok warning to Iran
- Pop singer Katy Perry condemned the Trump administration for using her song "Firework" without her permission in a social media video depicting military strikes in Iran.
- Perry stated on X that she did not approve or condone the use of her song, emphasizing that "Firework" stands for hope and self-worth, not violence and destruction.
- The White House TikTok video used "Firework" alongside footage of military attacks with the caption "Iran has been warned," sparking backlash from the artist.
- Perry joins other artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Bruce Springsteen who have publicly opposed the unauthorized use of their music by the Trump administration for political messaging.
Pop singer Katy Perry denounced the Trump administration for using her song Firework without her approval in a social media video showing footage of military strikes in Iran.
“I did not approve this, I was not asked, and I absolutely do not condone it,” Perry wrote in a post on X. “To see a message of self-worth and upliftment weaponized to soundtrack destruction and violence is a complete violation of everything my song stands for.”
I am deeply appalled and angry to see “Firework” used on the @WhiteHouse TikTok account as a backing track for video footage of military strikes. I did not approve this, I was not asked, and I absolutely do not condone it.
I wrote this song to be an anthem of hope, healing, and…
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) July 25, 2026
The video posted on the White House TikTok account shows footage of military attacks with the caption “Iran has been warned” backed by the song, one of the singer’s nine No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 2023, Perry sold her master recordings and publishing rights to Carlyle Group Inc.-backed Litmus Music of five of her most successful albums, including Teenage Dream, which features Firework as one of the singles. The sale fetched $225 million, Billboard reported at the time.
The American entertainer has been open about her Democratic views, supporting Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, Joe Biden in 2020 and Hillary Clinton in 2016. She is currently dating former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Perry joins a group of artists who have condemned the Trump administration for using their music or art for social media posts in various government departments’ accounts without their consent to promote messages they do not identify with, including Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter and Kids Can Press, publisher of children’s book series Franklin the Turtle.
Many popular artists, including Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Adele and Rihanna, have also objected to President Donald Trump’s use of their music during his political rallies.