Katy Perry slams the White House for using 'Firework' in Trump military strikes video

"My music is meant to bring people together, not celebrate warfare," Perry has said

Katy Perry has criticised the White House after it used her 2010 hit Firework in a social media video celebrating recent U S military strikes ordered by President Donald Trump, saying she is "deeply appalled and angry" by the song's use.

The White House posted the video to its official TikTok account, pairing footage of military aircraft and missile strikes with Perry's chart-topping anthem. The post quickly drew backlash online, with many questioning the use of a song widely associated with hope and self-empowerment.

Perry responded in a statement shared on social media, making clear that she had not authorised the use of the track.

"I am deeply appalled and angry to see Firework used by the White House as the soundtrack to footage of military strikes. I did not approve it, I was not asked, and I absolutely do not condone it."

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

The singer explained that she wrote Firework as "an anthem of hope, healing and inner strength" for people facing some of the darkest moments in their lives.

"To see a message of self-worth and hope twisted into a soundtrack for destruction and violence is a complete betrayal of everything my song stands for."

Perry concluded her statement by reaffirming the purpose behind her music. "My music is meant to bring people together, not celebrate warfare."

The controversy adds to a growing list of disputes between musicians and political campaigns or government organisations over the use of copyrighted songs at rallies, campaign events and official videos. Several artists have objected to their music being used in political contexts without permission or in ways they believe conflict with the songs' intended message.