Katy Perry slams White House for using 'Firework' in Iran war video

American singer Katy Perry has expressed strong disapproval of the White House using her hit song 'Firework' as background music for a TikTok video depicting U.S. military strikes in Iran. Perry took to social media platform X to voice her dismay, stating she had not granted permission for her music to be used in such a context.

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I am incredibly disheartened and disgusted to see that 'Firework' was used on the @WhiteHouse TikTok account as the background music to a video of military attacks. I did not authorize this, nor am I in any way approving this message.

"I am incredibly disheartened and disgusted to see that 'Firework' was used on the @WhiteHouse TikTok account as the background music to a video of military attacks," Perry wrote. She explicitly stated, "I did not authorize this, nor am I in any way approving this message." The eight-second video, posted by the White House, featured images of U.S. airstrikes in Iran accompanied by lyrics from her 2010 single.

Perry explained that she wrote 'Firework' to serve as an anthem of hope, healing, and inner strength for individuals navigating difficult times. She argued that the instrumentalization of her song, intended to promote self-esteem and overcoming adversity, as a soundtrack for destruction and violence represents a complete violation of its core message. "My music is for uniting people, not for celebrating war," she declared.

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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-love and empowerment used as a soundtrack for destruction and violence is an absolute violation of everything I stand for.

This incident adds to a list of artists who have publicly criticized political campaigns or figures for using their music without authorization. Previous instances include complaints from artists like ABBA, Beyoncé, Céline Dion, and Sabrina Carpenter, who have voiced objections to their songs being used in political contexts, including campaign ads and videos related to immigration policies.

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My music is for uniting people, not for celebrating war.