Katy Perry condemns White House over her song in Iran strike clip

Pop singer Katy Perry has criticised the White House after her hit song Firework was used without her permission in a social media video featuring military strikes on Iranian targets.

The video, posted on the White House’s official TikTok account, showed a missile striking what appeared to be an Iranian naval vessel while Perry’s chart-topping track played in the background. The clip was accompanied by a caption suggesting that Iran had been warned and has since attracted well over six million views.

Responding on X, Perry said she was deeply appalled and angry that her music had accompanied footage of military action.

She also said she had not been contacted and did not approve the use of the song or consent to it appearing in the video.

The singer said again that the decision to pair Firework with scenes of violence completely contradicted the song’s original message.

She said the track was written to encourage self-belief, hope and personal strength, adding that seeing it used to accompany military strikes was ‘a complete violation’ of what the song represents.

“My music is for bringing people together, not celebrating warfare,” Perry wrote.

The dispute adds to a growing number of cases in which well-known musicians have publicly objected to the use of their songs by the administration of US President Donald Trump without permission.

In December, pop singer Sabrina Carpenter criticised the White House after one of her songs was featured in a video showing immigration enforcement officers carrying out arrests.

She described the post as ‘evil and disgusting'.

Other artists have also raised concerns. Members of the rock band Radiohead challenged the use of one of their songs by the social media account of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), while singer Kesha objected after footage of fighter jets was shared alongside one of her tracks on the White House TikTok account.

The latest disagreement shows that political organisations and musicians continue to clash over the use of copyrighted music on official social media platforms.

While such disputes often focus on copyright and licensing, many artists have also argued that the use of their work can imply support for political messages or military actions they do not endorse.

Perry’s comments are the latest example of performers seeking to distance their music from government messaging that they believe conflicts with the values behind their work.