Katy Perry blasts Trump admin for using her song Firework in Iran war video
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US singer Katy Perry said her song’s message of “self-worth and upliftment” was weaponised to soundtrack destruction and violence, in the video showing military strikes in Iran.
PHOTO: EPA
- Katy Perry condemned the Trump administration for using her song Firework without permission in a video showing military strikes in Iran, stating it violates her song's message of upliftment.
- The White House TikTok video paired military attack footage with Firework, which Perry sold as part of her master recordings and publishing rights for US$225 million (S$290 million) in 2023.
- Perry joins other artists who oppose the use of their music by the Trump administration to promote messages they do not support, highlighting a wider conflict over music usage in politics.
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American pop singer Katy Perry has denounced the Trump administration for using her song Firework without her approval in a social media video showing footage of military strikes in Iran.
“I did not approve this, I was not asked, and I absolutely do not condone it,” the 41-year-old wrote in a post on X. “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.”
The video posted on the White House TikTok account on July 23 shows footage of military attacks with the caption “Iran has been warned” backed by Firework, one of Perry’s nine No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 2023, she sold her master recordings and publishing rights to Carlyle Group-backed Litmus Music of five of her most successful albums, including Teenage Dream (2010), which features Firework as one of the singles. The sale fetched US$225 million (S$290 million), Billboard reported.
Perry has been open about her Democratic views, supporting Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, Joe Biden in 2020 and Hillary Clinton in 2016. She is dating former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau.
Perry joins a group of artistes who have condemned the Trump administration for using their music or art for social media posts in various government department accounts without their consent to promote messages they do not identify with. They include Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter and Kids Can Press, publisher of children’s book series Franklin The Turtle.
Other popular music stars, including Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Adele and Rihanna, have also objected to President Donald Trump’s use of their music during his political rallies. BLOOMBERG
