Katy Perry Joins Other Artists in Condemning Trump’s Unauthorized Music Use

Singer Katy Perry is steaming mad at President Donald Trump, and she’s not the only one. 

Katy Perry calls out White House’s use of ‘Firework’ in Iran bombing video 

The pop star spoke up on social media after the White House used her 2010 hit “Firework” as the soundtrack to a social media video depicting a missile strike on an Iranian naval ship. 

“I am deeply appalled and angry to see ‘Firework’ used on the White House TikTok account as a backing track for video footage of military strikes. I did not approve this, I was not asked, and I absolutely do not condone it,” Perry wrote in a post on X.

The Grammy winner added that she’d written the song as 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 weaponized 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,” she wrote.

As of June 27, the post is still on the White House’s TikTok. However, the sound is no longer available. 

Sabrina Carpenter, Ariana Grande have also condemned Donald Trump’s used of their music

Perry joins a growing list of artists who’ve condemned the Trump administration’s use of their music on social media. 

In June, Ariana Grande told the White House to stop using her song “Bye” in a video depicting ICE deportations. 

“Please do not ever use my music ⁠in relation to this barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense,” Grande wrote in a comment (via Reuters) on the TikTok post. 

In February, the Trump admin used Kesha’s song “Blow” in a video of a fighter jet firing a missile at an Iranian ship. She called the clip “disgusting and inhumane” (via Variety). 

In December 2025, a video of ICE arrests soundtracked by Sabrina Carpenter’s “Juno” was removed from X after the singer described it “evil and disgusting.” 

Before the video was removed the White House defended the post. 

“Here’s a Short n’ Sweet message for Sabrina Carpenter: We won’t apologize for deporting dangerous criminal illegal murderers, rapists, and pedophiles from our country,” spokesperson Abigail Jackson said in a statement.

Kenny Loggins demanded his hit “Danger Zone” be removed from an AI-generated video Trump shared on Truth Social. And Semisonic objected to the use of their 1998 track “Closing Time” in a video depicting a handcuffed man boarding an airplane.

Olivia Rodrigo, Boards of Canada, Jess Glynne, Radiohead, and SZA have all also objected to the use of their music in social media posts by Trump or his administration. Many others have spoken out after their music was played at his rallies. 

While artists have repeatedly objected to Trump’s use of their music, the administration shows little sign of halting the practice. The posts drive engagement and attention on social media (and beyond). That, in turns, helps spread right-wing talking points.

“We made this video because we knew fake news media brands like Variety would breathlessly amplify them,” spokesperson told the outlet after the White House shared a TikTok featuring Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia” in November 2025.  “Congrats, you got played.”