Katy Perry hits back at White House for using ‘Firework’ in TikTok

Marina WattsSat, July 25, 2026 at 7:24 PM UTC

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Katy Perry in New York in June 2026; U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., in July 2026Credit: Manny Carabel/WireImage; Eric Lee/GettyKey Points -

Katy Perry is calling out the White House for using her song “Firework” without her permission for a TikTok video about the ongoing war with Iran.

“I wrote this song to be an anthem of hope, healing, and inner strength for people going through their darkest personal moments,” she wrote of the 2010 song.

Perry isn’t the first musician to have her music used without her permission by the Trump administration.

Katy Perry is the latest artist to face unauthorized use of their music in the political world.

After the White House used her 2010 song for a TikTok video without her permission, the Grammy-nominated artist is speaking out. The TikTok video in question depicted fiery explosions from military strikes. “Iran has been warned,” read the caption with a firework emoji.

“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,” she began in a social media post. “I did not approve this, I was not asked, and I absolutely do not condone it.”

“I wrote this song to be an anthem of hope, healing, and inner strength for people going through their darkest personal moments.”

Katy Perry at Rio Babel Festival in Madrid in July 2026Credit: Borja B. Hojas/Getty

“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.”

Concluded Perry, “My music is for bringing people together, not celebrating warfare.”

Entertainment Weekly reached out to the White House and did not receive an immediate response.

The singer famously performed “Firework” in 2021 to close out Joe Biden’s inauguration day. The song was used as part of — you guessed it — an impressive fireworks display.

Perry is far from the first artist to call out the White House for using their music without their consent.

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In August 2024, Celine Dion slammed Donald Trump for using her Oscar-winning ballad “My Heart Will Go On” at a campaign stop in Montana without her permission. “In no way is this use authorized and Celine Dion does not endorse this or any similar use,” she wrote in part. “And really, THAT song?”

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In 2024, the estate of the late Sinead O’Connor also slammed Trump for using the song “Nothing Compares 2 U.”

“It was with outrage therefore that we learned that Donald Trump has been using her iconic performance of ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ at his political rallies,” O’Connor’s estate and label Chrysalis Records said in a joint statement.

“It is no exaggeration to say that Sinéad would have been disgusted, hurt, and insulted to have her work misrepresented in this way by someone who she herself referred to as a ‘biblical devil.’”

Katy Perry at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York in June 2026Credit: Theo Wargo/Getty

More recently, Ariana Grande’s song “Bye” was used in a White House TikTok video promoting ICE. In response to the unauthorized use of her 2024 song, the artist launched The Brighter Days Ahead Foundation to support immigrants in June.

“I am beyond excited to finally announce the brighter days ahead foundation,” Grande said in a press release.

“Our mission is to support, protect, and provide resources for our vulnerable friends in need. Through four different funds, we will be supporting handfuls of incredible organizations that provide the safe space and care that is desperately needed by so many right now.”

on Entertainment Weekly

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