Katy Perry Blasts White House Over Unauthorized Use of Firework 2026

Pop star Katy Perry has condemned the Trump White House after it used her hit song Firework in a TikTok video showing US military strikes on Iranian targets, saying she never approved the use of her music. The video, captioned “Iran has been warned,” has amassed over 6 million views.

Katy Perry’s Response

Perry responded on Saturday with a statement on X, criticizing the unauthorized use. “I am deeply appalled and angry to see ‘Firework’ used on the White House TikTok account as a backing track for video footage of military strikes,” she wrote. “I did not approve this, I was not asked, and I absolutely do not condone it.”

She added: “I wrote this song to be an anthem of hope, healing, and inner strength for people going through their darkest personal moments. To see a message of self-worth and upliftment weaponized to soundtrack destruction and violence is a complete violation.”

Other Artists Who Clashed With the White House

Perry is not alone. Several artists have criticized the Trump administration over unauthorized music use in government social media posts, often targeting female pop singers.

Why This Matters

The White House launched its TikTok account in August 2025, when Donald Trump threatened to ban the platform months into his second presidency. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between artists and political figures over intellectual property.

• Katy Perry explicitly did not approve the use of Firework.
• The video promotes warfare, contradicting the song’s message of hope.
• Other artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Beyoncé, and Kesha have also challenged the White House.
• Unauthorized use of music in government propaganda raises legal and ethical concerns.

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