Katy Perry (41) has taken a clear stand against a video clip released by the White House on social media. The American singer says that using one of her songs in this context makes her angry. What happened?
U.S. President Donald Trump (80) and his White House are known for polarizing through blunt posts on social media. A TikTok clip released recently has also drawn attention. To footage of military strikes, one of the singer’s biggest hits, “Firework,” plays in the background. As explosions unfold, the lyrics go: “Boom, boom, boom. Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon.” Translation: “Boom, boom, boom. Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon.” In the caption, the White House writes: “Iran has been warned.”
@whitehouse Iran has been warned.
original sound The White House
TikTok / The White House
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“I absolutely do not condone this”
Perry shows disgust. In a statement on the platform X, which she also shared in an Instagram Story, the singer writes: “I am deeply appalled and angry that ‘Firework’ is being used on the White House TikTok account as background music for footage of military strikes. I did not approve this, I was not asked, and I absolutely do not condone it.”
She goes on to explain that the song was written as an “anthem of hope, healing, and inner strength for people going through their darkest personal moments.” Seeing a positive message used to glorify destruction and violence is a “complete betrayal of everything my song stands for.” With her music, she aims to bring people closer together, not glorify war. Perry has long been no fan of Trump. In the 2024 U.S. presidential election, she publicly backed his opponent Kamala Harris (61).
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, andKATY PERRY (@katyperry) July 25, 2026
Other musicians have in the past strongly opposed the use of their songs in the Trump camp—for clips, at events, and similar occasions—including singer Céline Dion (58) or the bands Linkin Park and Radiohead. Sabrina Carpenter (27) described the overlay of a video—in which migrants are detained—with one of her songs last December as “malicious and disgusting.” People should not use either her or her music to support this “inhuman agenda” (TheColu.mn reported). (spot)
