Full Breakdown
Katy Perry Condemns White House Use of “Firework” in TikTok Video of Iran Strikes
7/25/2026, 9:43:55 PM
Core Event: Unauthorized Use of “Firework” in Military-Strike Video
On July 23, 2026, the official White House TikTok account posted a short video that paired Katy Perry’s 2010 hit “Firework” with black-and-white footage of U.S. missile strikes on Iranian targets. The post was captioned “Iran has been warned.” The video remained on the account through July 25, 2026, when Perry issued a public statement denouncing the pairing. Perry said she had not authorized the use, describing the combination as a “complete violation” of the song’s intended message of hope and healing.
Background & Context
The video appeared amid an intensified U.S. campaign against Iran, with the Trump administration regularly sharing short-form videos that highlight missile, maritime and nuclear-related strikes. President Donald Trump has described the U.S. posture as “locked and loaded” but “not in a hurry.” The administration’s social-media strategy has repeatedly drawn criticism from musicians who object to the use of their work in political or military messaging. Prior incidents this year involved Kesha’s “Blow” and Ariana Grande’s “Bye” being used in similar TikTok posts.
Official Statements & Responses
- The White House did not issue an immediate comment, and the video remained publicly accessible as of the afternoon of July 25, 2026.
- President Donald Trump later reiterated the administration’s stance on the Iran operation, stating that U.S. forces are “locked and loaded” while diplomatic negotiations continue.
Criticism & Opposition
- Adam Kinzinger, former GOP congressman, criticized the administration’s cultural outreach, saying, “The White House has no cool people supporting them.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact posting date of the TikTok video. Some outlets cite July 23, 2026, while others reference July 24, 2026 as the day the footage was shared. All agree the video was still online on July 25, 2026, when Perry’s statement was published. No official response from the White House confirming or denying permission for the song’s use has been provided.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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,” — Violence' Katy Perry
- “I did not approve this, I was not asked, and I absolutely do not condone it.” — TikTok Post. She
- “This just gives us more attention and more view counts to our videos because people want to see what they’re bitching about,” — Steven Cheung
- “The White House has no cool people supporting them.” — Adam Kinzinger
What’s Next
No scheduled removal of the video or formal licensing negotiation has been announced. The White House’s TikTok account continues to post content related to the Iran operation, and further artist objections may arise if additional songs are used without permission.
