The White House has used "Firework" as a rallying cry for attacks on Iran.

The U.S. White House has faced renewed criticism after using Katy Perry’s hit song “Firework” as the soundtrack for a TikTok video showcasing military strikes against Iranian targets. The video, which features the lyrics “Iran has been warned,” alongside footage of missile launches, has amassed over six million views since its upload. Perry, who previously supported Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton during the 2016 election, expressed outrage on social media, stating she had neither authorized nor endorsed the unauthorized use of her music in such a context. Perry’s comments come amid a broader pattern of controversy surrounding the White House’s use of popular songs in official communications. Over the years, President Donald Trump has repeatedly used pop hits in his videos without permission, often sparking backlash from artists. This latest incident follows similar disputes involving other musicians, including Olivia Rodrigo, Beyoncé, Kesha, and Sabrina Carpenter, all of whom have criticized the administration for repurposing their work in ways they found offensive or inappropriate. In a post on the platform formerly known as Twitter, Perry wrote, “I am deeply upset and angry to see my song ‘Firework’ being used on the White House’s TikTok account as a backdrop for videos depicting military attacks.” She emphasized that the song was created as a anthem of hope, healing, and inner strength for individuals facing personal crises. “To see a message of self-respect and moral encouragement being exploited as a sound track for destruction and violence is a complete betrayal of everything my song represents,” she added. Perry, who played a key role in promoting Hillary Clinton’s campaign in 2016, has long been vocal about her opposition to Trump’s policies. Her public stance aligns with broader criticisms of the administration’s approach to using music in political messaging. The White House opened its TikTok account in August 2025, shortly after Trump threatened to ban the platform during his second term. Since then, the account has become a tool for disseminating messages aligned with the administration’s agenda, often drawing sharp responses from the entertainment industry. The use of “Firework” in the recent video echoes past incidents where pop songs were repurposed for politically charged content. For example, Kesha condemned the White House for using her song “Blow” in a military promotional video, calling it an “exhibition of shameless disrespect for human life.” Similarly, Sabrina Carpenter expressed concern over the use of her song “Juno” in a video promoting immigration enforcement actions, describing it as “evil and disgusting.” Ariana Grande also criticized the White House for using her song “Bye” in a video highlighting immigration raids, labeling the content “barbaric.” Perry’s relationship with former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has further fueled discussions around the intersection of politics and celebrity culture. Trudeau, who has frequently been targeted by Trump, has endured numerous controversial remarks from the U.S. president. In one instance, Trump even suggested imposing tariffs on Canada and hinted at annexing parts of the country, referring to Trudeau as the “governor of the great state of Canada.” Perry, who has maintained a close bond with Trudeau, has publicly supported his leadership and opposed Trump’s aggressive rhetoric toward Canada. As tensions continue to mount, the debate over the ethical use of music in political messaging shows no signs of abating. Artists remain divided on how best to respond to such practices, with some choosing to speak out directly while others opt for more subtle forms of resistance. The ongoing conflict highlights the complex relationship between entertainment, politics, and public perception in modern society.