Katy Perry slams Trump for using 'Firework' in Iran strikes video
Synopsis
Katy Perry has gone public with her fury after the White House used her anthem 'Firework' to score footage of US military strikes on Iran — without her knowledge or consent. She joins Ariana Grande in a growing list of artists pushing back against the Trump administration’s social media strategy, raising sharp questions about artists’ rights and political appropriation of music.
Key Takeaways
Katy Perry condemned the use of her 2010 hit 'Firework' in a White House TikTok video featuring US military strikes on Iran .
Perry stated she was “deeply appalled and angry,” confirming she was neither consulted nor gave approval.
She described the use as “a complete violation” of the song’s intended message of hope and inner strength.
Ariana Grande faced a similar incident last month when her song 'Bye' was used in a TikTok promoting ICE immigration arrests.
Perry previously performed 'Firework' at the Lincoln Memorial during President Biden’s inauguration in January 2021 .
Singer-songwriter Katy Perry has publicly condemned US President Donald Trump after her 2010 hit 'Firework' was used as the backing track for a White House TikTok video featuring footage of US military strikes on Iran. Perry said she was “deeply appalled and angry” and made clear she had neither approved the use nor been consulted beforehand.
What Perry Said
Taking to her X account, Perry wrote: “I am deeply appalled and angry to see ‘Firework’ used on the White House TikTok 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 followed up by explaining the song’s original intent: “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 weaponised to soundtrack destruction and violence is a complete violation of everything my song stands for.”
The Video in Question
A TikTok video circulating earlier this week paired clips of US military action against Iran with Perry’s signature anthem. The video was posted on the White House’s official TikTok account, drawing immediate backlash. Perry confirmed she was given no advance notice and did not sanction the use in any form.
A Growing Pattern: Artists vs the Trump Administration
Perry is not alone. She joins a widening group of artists who have publicly objected to the Trump administration’s use of their music on social media. Last month, Ariana Grande responded sharply after her song 'Bye' was used as the soundtrack to a TikTok video promoting US immigration arrests, featuring footage of ICE agents detaining individuals. The caption on that video read: “Bye‑bye. President Trump has delivered the most secure border in history.”
Grande fired back in a since-deleted comment, writing: “Please do not ever use my music in relation to this barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense. F*** ICE.” The incident underscored a recurring tension between the administration’s social media strategy and the artists whose work it appropriates.
Context and Background
Perry has a notable history with the song beyond its chart success. She performed 'Firework' at the Lincoln Memorial during the televised event marking President Joe Biden’s inauguration in January 2021, cementing its association with themes of unity and resilience. The unauthorised use in a military-themed video represents a sharp departure from those associations, critics argue.
The broader legal and ethical question of artists’ rights over political use of their music remains unresolved in US law, though several artists have pursued cease-and-desist actions against political campaigns in the past. Whether Perry or her representatives will pursue formal legal action has not been disclosed as of this report.
Point of View
And their public objections carry cultural weight that a cease-and-desist letter alone cannot. What mainstream coverage tends to underplay is the underlying question of consent architecture: US political campaigns and government accounts have long operated in a grey zone on music licensing, and no administration has faced a definitive legal reckoning. Until that changes, expect more artists, more deleted comments, and more viral outrage cycles — with the music still playing in the background.
NationPress
26 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Katy Perry angry at President Trump?
Katy Perry is angry because the White House used her 2010 hit 'Firework' as the backing track for a TikTok video showing US military strikes on Iran, without her knowledge or permission. She stated she did not approve the use and does not condone it.
What did Katy Perry say about the incident?
Perry wrote on X that she was ‘deeply appalled and angry’ to see her song used alongside footage of military strikes. She described it as ‘a complete violation of everything my song stands for,’ noting she wrote it as an anthem of hope and inner strength, not to soundtrack destruction.
Has this happened to other artists under the Trump administration?
Yes. Last month, Ariana Grande objected after her song 'Bye' was used in a White House TikTok promoting US immigration arrests featuring ICE agents. Grande called the use ‘barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense’ in a since-deleted comment.
What is the significance of 'Firework' for Katy Perry?
'Firework' is a 2010 anthem Perry describes as a song of hope, healing, and inner strength. She notably performed it at the Lincoln Memorial during President Biden’s inauguration in January 2021, associating it publicly with themes of unity.
Has Katy Perry announced any legal action?
As of this report, Perry has not disclosed whether she or her representatives plan to pursue formal legal action. Her public statement on X focused on expressing her objection and clarifying that she did not consent to the use.
