American pop superstar Katy Perry has slammed US President Donald Trump’s administration for using her song Firework on a TikTok video of military attacks in Iran.
The 41-year-old singer took to social media to declare she was “deeply appalled and angry” to see the lyrics “boom, boom, boom” from her 2010 hit used as a backing track for images of military strikes.
The video of dock facilities exploding has racked up more than 6.7 million views since it was posted on the White House TikTok account with the words: “Iran has been warned”.
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“I did not approve this, I was not asked and I absolutely do not condone it,” Perry posted on Instagram and on X.
“I wrote this song to be an anthem of hope, healing and inner strength for people going through their darkest personal moments.
“To see a message of self-worth and upliftment weaponised to soundtrack destruction and violence is a complete violation of everything my song stands for.
“My music is for bringing people together, not celebrating warfare.”
CNN has reported that when it asked the White House for comment on Perry’s posts, it was pointed towards an official video for another of her songs, Part of Me, released in 2012.
That video featured the singer joining the US Marines, firing weapons and riding in a military tank.
It is not the first time the Trump administration has come under fire from artists unhappy with the way it has used their songs.
Pop star and lead in the Wicked films Ariana Grande last month asked the White House not to use her music after her 2024 hit Bye was added to a TikTok video depicting US border agents placing people in handcuffs.
It was captioned: “Bye-bye… President Trump has delivered the most secure border in history”.
Grande commented on the post: “Please do not use my music in relation to this barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense.” The sound was later removed.
A who’s who of music artists have objected to the use of their music by the Trump administration. Some have even threatened legal action.
- ABBA objected to Money, Money, Money, The Winner Takes It All and Dancing Queen being played at campaign events
- Elton John has opposed the use of Rocket Man and Tiny Dancer
- Axl Rose has asked Mr Trump’s team to stop playing Sweet Child O’ Mine
- Leonard Cohen’s estate criticised the use of Hallelujah
- The Rolling Stones sent cease and desist letters over the use of You Can’t Always Get What You Want
- Queen told him to stop walking on stage to We Are The Champions
- As far back as 2016, Bruce Springsteen opposed the playing of Born In The USA at Trump rallies and openly proclaimed his support for Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.
