Katy Perry slams White House for using Firework in Iran strikes TikTok without permission

Singer-songwriter Katy Perry has criticised the White House after it used her 2010 hit Firework in a TikTok video featuring footage of military strikes on Iran. Calling the use of her music "unauthorised," Perry said the song's message of hope and resilience had been distorted to accompany scenes of violence.

Perry says song was used without permission

The controversy began after the White House's official TikTok account posted a video pairing Firework with black-and-white footage of military strikes. The video synchronised the song's "boom, boom, boom" lyrics with scenes of bombing and carried the caption, "Iran has been warned."

Responding on X, Perry strongly objected to the use of her music.

"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."

The singer said the track was never intended to be associated with conflict or warfare.

"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 of everything my song stands for."

She concluded her statement by reaffirming the purpose behind her music.

"My music is for bringing people together, not celebrating warfare."

'Firework' remains one of Perry's biggest hits

Released as the third single from Perry's 2010 album Teenage Dream, Firework became one of the defining songs of her career. The track spent four non-consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 and has remained one of her signature anthems, celebrated for its themes of self-belief and empowerment.

Part of a wider pattern of artists objecting

Perry is the latest musician to criticise the Trump administration over the use of songs in political or government-related social media content without authorisation.

In June, Ariana Grande criticised the White House after her 2024 song Bye was used in a TikTok video promoting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests. Earlier this year, Kesha also objected after her song Blow appeared in a TikTok featuring fighter jets and military strike footage accompanied by the caption "Lethality."

(With inputs from ANI)