Katy Perry has strongly condemned the White House for using her 2010 song ‘Firework’ as background music for a video showcasing US military strikes on Iran.

In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Perry expressed deep anger and disappointment, stating that her music was never consulted or authorised for such use.She described ‘Firework’ as an anthem of hope, healing, and inner strength, intended to uplift individuals during personal struggles.

Perry argued that the song’s message of self-worth and upliftment being weaponised to soundtrack destruction and violence is a complete violation of its intended purpose.Her criticism follows a pattern of artists objecting to the Trump administration’s use of their work in government social media posts.

Previous instances include Ariana Grande condemning the use of her song ‘Bye’ in a video depicting ICE agents detaining people, and Kesha criticising the unauthorised use of her track ‘Blow’ in a military context.Perry’s stance highlights growing tensions between artists and political entities over the appropriation of cultural works for state messaging.

The incident also underscores the broader debate about the ethical implications of using music to accompany military actions, with Perry explicitly stating that her music is meant to bring people together, not celebrate warfare.

The White House’s use of ‘Firework’ in the video, which was shared via their official TikTok account with the caption ‘Iran has been warned,’ has sparked further controversy, particularly given Perry’s recent efforts to focus on humanitarian causes through her ‘Lifetimes Tour’ and charity work.