Katy Perry condemns White House’s use of Firework
Katy Perry has criticised the White House after it used her 2010 hit Firework in a social media video featuring footage of US military strikes during the Trump administration. The singer said she neither approved nor supported the use of her music, arguing that it completely contradicted the song’s original message of hope, healing and empowerment.
The controversy began after the White House’s official TikTok account shared a video showing military strikes, accompanied by Firework and the caption, “Iran has been warned.” The footage quickly spread online, prompting criticism from fans and eventually drawing a public response from Perry herself.
Responding on social media, Perry wrote, “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 added, “I did not approve this, I was not asked, and I absolutely do not condone it.”
The singer explained that Firework was created as an anthem of hope, resilience and inner strength—not as a soundtrack for scenes of war. She described the video’s use of the song as “a complete violation” of everything the track represents and said its uplifting message had been distorted into something that celebrated violence rather than humanity.
Perry’s statement quickly gained widespread support from fans and fellow artists, many of whom praised her for speaking out. Social media users argued that musicians should have greater control over how their work is used, particularly when it becomes associated with political messaging or military action.
The incident is the latest in a series of disputes involving artists objecting to the use of their music by the Trump administration or the White House without permission. In recent months, musicians including Ariana Grande, Celine Dion, Kesha, Sabrina Carpenter and others have publicly criticised the unauthorised use of their songs in government videos and political content.
The White House has not indicated that it sought Perry’s permission before using the song. The debate has reignited broader discussions about copyright, artistic consent and whether music intended to inspire hope should be repurposed to accompany images of armed conflict. Perry’s response has since gone viral, with many fans saying the meaning behind Firework should be respected rather than used to promote messages the artist does not support.
