Key facts
- Katy Perry condemned the White House for using her song 'Firework' in a TikTok video of U.S. military strikes on Iran.
- Perry stated she did not approve the use of her music and that it violates the song's message of hope.
- The White House TikTok video, featuring the song over footage of a missile strike, has garnered over 6 million views.
- The Trump administration is attempting to classify recent strikes as a separate campaign from the official Operation Epic Fury.
- U.S. House member Thomas Massie accused the defense secretary of breaking the law by exceeding 90 days without congressional authorization for military action.
Pop star Katy Perry has publicly condemned the Trump White House for using her hit song 'Firework' in a TikTok video that showcased U.S. military strikes on Iranian targets. Perry stated she was 'deeply appalled and angry' by the unauthorized use, emphasizing that the song was intended as an anthem of hope and healing, not a soundtrack for destruction and violence.
The White House TikTok video, which featured 'Firework' playing over footage of a missile striking an Iranian naval ship, has accumulated over 6 million views. The post was captioned, 'Iran has been warned.' Perry asserted that she did not approve the use of her music and that it represented a 'complete violation' of her song's message.
Perry is among several artists who have criticized the Trump administration for the unauthorized use of their music in government social media content. Previous instances include Olivia Rodrigo, Beyoncé, Kesha, Sabrina Carpenter, Ariana Grande, and Jess Glynne speaking out against their songs being used in videos related to government actions like deportation efforts or military promotions.
The context of the U.S.-Iran conflict is also highlighted, with ongoing controversy surrounding casualty figures. The Defense Casualty Analysis System (DCAS) lists 14 service members killed and 420 wounded, though these numbers have recently dropped from previous tallies. The Trump administration is reportedly seeking to treat the latest strikes as a separate campaign from the official Operation Epic Fury. U.S. House member Thomas Massie criticized this approach, accusing the Pentagon of an 'absurd ruse' and the defense secretary of breaking the law by exceeding 90 days without congressional authorization for military action.