Katy Perry Accuses White House of Weaponizing Her Music in Military Video

By Zoe Papadakis | Monday, 27 July 2026 12:55 PM EDT

The White House has pushed back in response to public criticism from pop star Katy Perry over the unauthorized deployment of her music in a military video, pointing to her past military-themed work to challenge her current anti-war stance.

When asked for comment by news outlets including CNN, administration officials highlighted Perry’s 2012 music video for her single “Part of Me,” which was filmed on a Marine Corps base and featured military training themes, to argue that her position is contradictory.

The political friction erupted after the White House’s official TikTok account published a post featuring Perry’s 2010 hit song “Firework” playing over video footage of U.S. military strikes against Iranian naval targets, accompanied by the caption “Iran has been warned.”

Having drawn over 6 million views, the post prompted the singer to lash out on Saturday via X.

Perry distanced herself entirely from the government clip, voicing anger over the unauthorized use of her work.

“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,” Perry said. “I did not approve this, I was not asked, and I absolutely do not condone it.”

Explaining the intent behind the track, Perry emphasized, “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 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.”

The conflict highlights tension between political officials and recording artists regarding social media tracks.

The administration launched its TikTok account in August 2025 during President Donald Trump’s second term amid threats to ban the platform.

Perry is among several prominent, mostly female pop stars, including Olivia Rodrigo, Beyoncé, Kesha, Sabrina Carpenter, Ariana Grande, and Jess Glynne, who have criticized or blocked the administration’s deployment of their music in official posts covering ICE arrests, deportation efforts, or military actions.

Kesha called the use of her track “Blow” a “show of blatant disregard for human life,” while Carpenter urged officials, “Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda” after “Juno” was paired with ICE enforcement footage.

Grande described immigration posts featuring “Bye” as “barbaric,” and Glynne felt “sick” over “Hold My Hand” promoting “division and hate.”

Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazine and websites.