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Published : 26 Jul 2026, 12:01 PM
Pop singer Katy Perry has criticised the White House's unauthorised use of her music in a TikTok video showing strikes on Iranian targets.
The White House used her hit song "Firework" as the backing track for a video showing a missile hitting a naval vessel in Iran, captioned to warn that Iran had been warned.
The clip has drawn more than 6 million views.
Perry said on X she was "deeply appalled and angry" to see the song used behind footage of military strikes, adding she had not approved, been asked about, or consented to its use.
"To see a message of self-worth and upliftment weaponised to soundtrack destruction and violence is a complete violation of everything my song stands for," she added.
"My music is for bringing people together, not celebrating warfare."
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
Perry joins a long list of artists who have objected to the Donald Trump administration using their music without permission.
Pop star Sabrina Carpenter made a similar demand in December after the White House used her song in a video of immigration agents making arrests, calling the clip “evil and disgusting”.
Rock band Radiohead pushed back after the ICE social media account used one of their tracks, while singer Kesha objected when the White House TikTok account paired footage of fighter jets with one of her songs.
