Katy Perry recently took to social media to criticize a recent video making use of her song, “Firework.” Her music recently appeared in a military video from the White House’s official social media. This also isn’t the first time a musician has made similar criticisms of their music being used in this fashion.
A White House TikTok Video Used Music From Katy Perry’s 2010 Song
Perry is a pop star who started her career in the early 2000s. In the world of reality television, she also served as a judge on American Idol from 2018 to 2024, ultimately being succeeded by Carrie Underwood.
Recently, one of Perry’s songs, “Firework,” became a topic of discourse on social media. The song serves as the third single from Perry’s 2010 album, Teenage Dream.
Recently, Perry spoke out after her hit song was used without her permission. The pop star took to social media on Saturday to criticize the Trump administration for featuring the song in a White House TikTok post.
Earlier this week, the White House’s official TikTok account shared a video that sampled Perry’s “boom, boom, boom” lyrics. It played over black-and-white footage of military strikes. The post was also captioned, “Iran has been warned.”
Ariana Grande Levied Similar Comments Against A White House Video Back In June
Taking to X, Perry shared, “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 singer also shared, “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.” Perry concluded her share, “My music is for bringing people together, not celebrating warfare.”
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.
I wrote this song to be an anthem of hope, healing, and…
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) July 25, 2026
This isn’t the first time that the Trump administration was criticized by performers for using their music without permission. Back in June, Ariana Grande also spoke out after her 2024 song “Bye” was used in a TikTok video. The White House video revolving around ICE agents making arrests. As noted by Billboard, Grande was confirmed to have shared, “Please do not ever use my music in relation to this barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense. F— ICE,” in a since-removed comment.
@whitehouseIran has been warned. 🎆♬ original sound – The White House
What is your reaction to Katy Perry’s recent share? Have you also been following this story? Did you also watch the White House’s video? Make sure you come back to TV Shows Ace for all the latest reality TV and celebrity news.
John Witiw has been a writer since at least 2015. He’s covered a variety of topics, especially when it comes to film and television.