Pop star Katy Perry has sharply criticized the White House for using her song “Firework” without permission in a TikTok video that depicts U.S. military strikes on Iranian targets. The video, posted on the official White House account, shows a missile striking an Iranian naval ship, set to the upbeat pop anthem. It has amassed over 6 million views and 616,000 likes, with the caption: “Iran has been warned.”
In a statement posted on X, Perry expressed her outrage: “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.” She added, “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. My music is for bringing people together, not celebrating warfare.”
The White House first launched its TikTok account in August 2025, a move that came as President Trump previously threatened to ban the app. In his inaugural video on the platform, Trump stated, “Every day I wake up determined to deliver a better life for the people all across this nation. I am your voice.” ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, has since established a U.S. venture to safeguard American user data.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of musicians objecting to the Trump administration’s use of their work. In March, singer Kesha criticized the White House for a similar video that used her song “Blow” without permission, calling it a “blatant disregard for human life.” Beyoncé also threatened legal action and issued cease-and-desist letters after the administration used her song “Freedom” in a video of President Trump deplaning in Michigan. Additionally, the estate of soul singer Isaac Hayes settled a copyright lawsuit with the Trump campaign over the unauthorized use of “Hold On, I’m Comin” during the 2024 election trail.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung has dismissed these criticisms, arguing they inadvertently amplify the administration’s message. In a post on X, Cheung wrote, “All these ‘singers’ keep falling for this. This just gives us more attention and more view counts to our videos.”
The video comes amid ongoing U.S. military operations against Iran, including a series of airstrikes that have targeted Iranian naval assets and infrastructure. The administration has framed these actions as a deterrent, but critics argue they risk escalating regional tensions. The use of Perry’s song has reignited debate over the politicization of popular culture and the boundaries of government messaging on social media.
Perry’s condemnation echoes a growing frustration among artists whose work is co-opted for political purposes without consent. The White House has not publicly responded to Perry’s specific complaint, but the administration’s ongoing use of music without permission suggests a calculated strategy to generate engagement, even at the cost of alienating prominent cultural figures.
