Katy Perry slams White House over use of 'Firework' in Iran strike TikTok video

Ayeesha Walsh, Julianna Salinas Sat, July 25, 2026 at 6:35 PM UTC

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Katy Perry did not approve of her song being used by the White House (Image: Jim Dyson, Getty Images)

Katy Perry has criticized the White House after one of her biggest hits was featured in a TikTok video promoting violent military action against Iran.

The global superstar took to social media on Saturday, July 25, to express her fury over the unauthorized use of her song, condemning the message of "celebrating warfare" that the Trump administration had employed it to convey. Katy posted on X, "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 controversy comes after Katy Perry called out her famous exes in brutal routine live on stage.

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"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," the 41-year-old artist stated, reports the Mirror US.

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

The TikTok shared by the official White House account on Thursday, July 23, used Katy's 2010 track over a compilation of footage showing massive explosions and bombs detonating, accompanied by the caption "Iran has been warned."

Supporters of Katy quickly responded to her post, expressing solidarity with her outrage. One user posted on X, "You know what I do Katy, and I know it will only lift your spirits a tiny bit. But I just think about how someone convinced him YMCA was the theme tune to walk out to........ Seriously though, sue his rotting orange a--."

Another recommended, "Your legal team or Capitol Records can file a standard Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedown notice directly to TikTok. TikTok almost always acts immediately on high-profile celebrity takedown requests to shield itself from corporate liability."

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MADRID, SPAIN - JULY 05: American singer Katy Perry performs onstage during day 3 of Rio Babel Festival 2026 at Auditorio Miguel Ríos on July 05, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Borja B. Hojas/Getty Images) (Image: Borja B. Hojas, Getty Images)

A third stated, "Let's go burn the white house down mother.... they can't do this to you."

Meanwhile, TikTok users criticized the video itself, with one commenting, "Our country is a joke. This account is a disgrace. War is not something to be celebrated." A second remarked, "This is such a inhumane thing to do I hope she sues yall."

A third wrote, "Why can't we have a normal administration? Like a respectable administration. How embarrassing."

A fourth observed, "This country lacks any decorum or humanity, its f------ shameful."

A fifth stated, "People are dying because of this war. American people included. And you're posting it to party tunes like it's all a big joke. Vile."

The White House has not yet removed the post and has not addressed the pop star's public criticism.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”