Katy Perry says White House used Firework in strikes video without approval

Katy Perry says the White House used “Firework” in a military strikes video without her permission, turning her 2010 pop anthem into the soundtrack for footage of explosions.

The clip was posted Thursday on the official White House TikTok account, according to Variety. It matched the “boom, boom, boom” lyric from Perry’s song to images of bomb blasts and carried the caption, “Iran has been warned.”

Perry responded Saturday morning in a post on X, saying she was “deeply appalled and angry” to see the song used with video of military action. She said she had not cleared the track for that purpose.

“I did not approve this, I was not asked, and I absolutely do not condone it,” Perry wrote in the post.

Why did Katy Perry object to the White House using Firework?

Perry said “Firework” was written as a song about hope, healing and personal strength for people in difficult moments. In her X post, she said using it alongside destruction and violence went against what the song represents.

She described the use as a “complete violation” of the song’s message, adding that her music is meant to bring people together rather than celebrate warfare.

The White House video arrived during a tense moment in U.S. policy toward Iran. Variety reported that the Trump administration appeared to be holding back on a threatened major escalation while talks continued, even as U.S. forces remained in place for possible additional attacks.

According to the report, Trump has said Washington is “locked and loaded” but “not in a hurry,” while claiming Tehran has grown more serious about a possible deal. Variety also reported that U.S. Central Command has continued strikes on Iranian missile, maritime and nuclear-related targets.

Which other artists have objected to Trump using their music?

Perry joins a long list of performers who have pushed back when Trump, his administration or his campaign used their songs in political settings or government messaging.

In June, Ariana Grande criticized the White House after a TikTok post used a version of her 2024 song “Bye” in a video showing ICE agents arresting and handcuffing people, according to Variety.

Other artists who have objected to Trump’s use of their music include:

Sabrina Carpenter
Olivia Rodrigo
Celine Dion
Neil Young
The Rolling Stones

Those objections have centered on songs being used to support causes or messages the artists do not endorse, according to Variety. Perry’s complaint adds a sharper charge: she said a song built around uplift was used to accompany images of military force.

Neither Perry’s post nor Variety’s report said the singer had taken legal action over the TikTok video.

This story draws on original reporting from Variety.