Katy Perry calls out Donald Trump's White House for using 'Firework' in footage of military strikes: 'I am deeply appalled and angry'

Katy Perry has taken aim at the White House after one of her most recognizable songs appeared alongside footage of U.S. military strikes in a government social media video.

The singer expressed anger over the unexpected use of her hit song Firework, making it clear that she did not approve of the track being used in connection with footage depicting military action.


Perry took to X (formerly known as Twitter), to criticize the White House after its official TikTok account used Firework as the soundtrack for a video showing U.S. airstrikes in Iran.

"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," the singer, 41, wrote via X on Saturday, July 25. "I did not approve this, I was not asked, and I absolutely do not condone it."

The singer went on to explain why the use of the song in the military footage was particularly upsetting to her.

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


Fresh controversy erupted after Washington released unclassified footage appearing to show U.S. forces striking military targets in Iran on Thursday, July 24.

The black-and-white video showed missile strikes set to Perry's Firework, with the footage focusing on lyrics including "boom boom" and "even brighter than the moon."

"Iran has been warned," the White House wrote in the caption. The White House has not publicly addressed Perry's claim that she was not consulted about the use of the song.

Perry is the latest artist to object to the Trump administration. Ariana Grande and Kesha are among the artists who have publicly objected to the White House using their music in politically charged videos.

Grande's Bye appeared in a video promoting immigration enforcement, while Kesha's Blow was featured in a separate TikTok video promoting a pro-war message before the conflict with Iran began.

Her public criticism has reignited a wider debate over the use of artists' music in political messaging, particularly when songs created to inspire and unite audiences are repurposed to promote causes their creators openly reject.