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Trump Admin's Iran TikTok Sparks Katy Perry Objection

7/25/2026

42 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Trump Admin Misuses

On July 23, Trump administration posted a TikTok pairing Katy Perry’s “Firework” with footage of U.S. strikes in Iran, captioned “Iran has been warned” and syncing “boom, boom, boom.”
On July 24, Perry wrote on X that she was appalled, had not approved the use, and said song is an anthem of hope, not a weapon, joining other artists.
GOP congressman Adam Kinzinger said the White House “has no cool people supporting them.”

Summary

White House Songs

The White House had not replied by 2 p.m. Eastern on July 25, 2026.
Copyright scholars say the government may use songs without a license, asserting that artists claim the use implies endorsement.
The administration’s TikTok strategy pairs popular tracks with military footage, previously using Kesha’s “Blow” and Sabrina Carpenter’s “Juno”.
Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna and Neil Young have publicly objected to political use of their songs.

History

Historical Context

The Copyright Act of 1976, signed by President Gerald Ford on October 19 1976 and effective January 1 1978, replaced the 1909 law to cover TV, radio and sound recordings. Drafted by Register Barbara Ringer and Rep. Robert Kastenmeier, it obliges federal agencies to license works and permits retroactive damages. White House TikTok clips using songs like Katy Perry’s “Firework” have drawn criticism from Bruce Springsteen invoking the Act.

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Trump Admin Misuses

On July 23, Trump administration posted a TikTok pairing Katy Perry’s “Firework” with footage of U.S. strikes in Iran, captioned “Iran has been warned” and syncing “boom, boom, boom.”
On July 24, Perry wrote on X that she was appalled, had not approved the use, and said song is an anthem of hope, not a weapon, joining other artists.
GOP congressman Adam Kinzinger said the White House “has no cool people supporting them.”

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