Pop star Katy Perry publicly criticized the Trump administration over the weekend after the White House used her hit song “Firework” in a TikTok video depicting U.S. strikes against Iran, according to statements released by the singer. The nine-second social media post, which featured grainy explosion footage synced to the lyrics “Boom, boom, boom,” prompted swift objections from the artist over the unauthorized use of her music for political messaging.
White House TikTok Video Sparks Artist Backlash Over “Firework” Usage
The disputed TikTok video appeared on the official White House account, pairing combat footage with the uplifting track released on Perry’s 2010 album Teenage Dream. Alongside the visuals, the post included the warning text, “Iran has been warned.” According to statements published on X by Perry, the 41-year-old singer felt “deeply appalled and angry to see” the track deployed in a military context.
“I wrote this song to be an anthem of hope, healing, and inner strength for people going through their darkest personal moments,” Perry wrote on X. “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.”
While the White House did not issue a public response to the backlash, platform data confirms the audio was subsequently removed from the original post.
Did you know?
Katy Perry sold the publishing rights to five of her albums, including Teenage Dream, to Litmus Music in 2023 for a reported $225 million US.
Publishing Rights and Master Recordings Complicate Political Song Use
Despite her strong public objection, Perry holds limited legal control over how “Firework” and other catalog tracks are utilized. According to industry records, she relinquished her publishing rights to Litmus Music during the multi-million-dollar catalog sale. However, Universal Music Group retains ownership of the master recordings, giving the company authority over how the audio is shared and monetized.
Furthermore, Universal’s catalog remains fully accessible on TikTok under a multi-year global licensing agreement established in 2024. This legal separation between songwriting rights and master recording distribution means artists frequently discover their work featured in campaigns or videos without their direct authorization or approval.
Precedents Involving Ariana Grande and Bruce Springsteen
Perry’s complaints mirror a broader pattern of musicians objecting to the use of their catalogs by the current administration. In June, pop artist Ariana Grande publicly condemned the White House for featuring her music in a promotional video centered on immigration policies. “Please do not ever use my music in relation to this barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense,” Grande wrote on TikTok at the time.
Similarly, rock musician Bruce Springsteen has objected to Donald Trump utilizing his songs at political events, a tension dating back to the 2016 campaign trail. The ongoing friction between political entities and recording artists highlights continuing challenges surrounding copyright permissions and social media platform policies.
Broader Political and Public Context
The social media dispute intersects with existing political alignments. Perry has actively campaigned for U.S. Democrats in past presidential cycles, endorsing Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris in their respective White House races against Trump.
Personal dynamics have also intersected with the public fallout. Perry has been in a relationship with former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau since last July. Trump has previously expressed public disdain for Trudeau, telling reporters following a face-to-face meeting with Mark Carney that he was pleased to see the former prime minister leave office. Earlier this year, Perry accompanied Trudeau to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he delivered remarks concerning the application of soft power.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Katy Perry object to the White House TikTok video?
Perry stated that she created “Firework” as an anthem of hope and inner strength, arguing that using the track to soundtrack military destruction and violence violates the core message of the song.
Does Katy Perry own the rights to “Firework”?
No. Perry sold the publishing rights for five of her albums, including Teenage Dream, to Litmus Music in 2023. Universal Music Group owns the master recordings and controls audio distribution.
Have other artists complained about political use of their music?
Yes. Ariana Grande criticized the White House in June over the use of her music in an immigration policy video, and Bruce Springsteen has repeatedly objected to Donald Trump using his songs at rallies since 2016.
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