# Katy Perry protests White House Iran video > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/katy-perry-protests-white-house-iran-video > Updated: 2026-07-26T21:09:13.000Z. Sources: 191. Developments: 2. Late July 2026 the White House TikTok account posted an eight‑second video on July 23 showing U.S. strikes on an Iranian warship set to Katy Perry’s 2010 hit “Firework.” The caption read “Iran has been warned” with a fireworks emoji; the clip quickly amassed over 6 million views. Perry responded on X on July 25, saying she was “deeply appalled and angry” that the song was used without permission and that “Firework” is meant as an anthem of hope, healing and inner strength, not a soundtrack for warfare. She reiterated the condemnation on July 26, calling the pairing a “total violation of everything my song stands for” and emphasizing that her music is intended “to bring people together, not to celebrate war.” In her statement Perry referenced earlier protests by other musicians – including ABBA, Beyoncé, Céline Dion and Sabrina Carpenter – who have objected to unauthorized uses of their songs by previous administrations. The White House video’s view count has since risen to over seven million, and the administration has not removed the post or offered comment. The episode continues to fuel debate over artists’ rights and the use of copyrighted music in official government communications. ## Claims - The White House posted a TikTok video on July 23, 2026 featuring footage of U.S. strikes on Iran set to Katy Perry’s song “Firework”. (corroborated by 23 sources) - Katy Perry posted on X on July 25, 2026 stating she was deeply appalled and angry about the video. (corroborated by 23 sources) - Other artists such as Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo have previously objected to the Trump administration’s use of their music. (corroborated by 23 sources) - Perry described the song as an anthem of hope, healing and inner strength, not intended for war. (corroborated by 23 sources) - The video’s caption read “Iran has been warned” and showed a fireworks emoji. (corroborated by 20 sources) - The White House has not taken down the TikTok video despite Perry’s criticism. (corroborated by 20 sources) - U.S. forces have carried out military strikes on Iran amid ongoing tensions. (corroborated by 20 sources) - The video caption on the White House TikTok post read “Iran has been warned.” (corroborated by 20 sources) - Katy Perry described “Firework” as a hymn of hope, healing and inner strength for people in their darkest moments. (corroborated by 20 sources) - The video received over 6 million views and 616 000 likes. (corroborated by 19 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-07-26: Katy Perry condemns White House use of 'Firework' in Iran strike video The White House TikTok video of U.S. strikes on Iran used Katy Perry’s “Firework” without her consent; Perry denounced the move, saying the song promotes hope, not war, and cited prior artist protests. 36 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/katy-perry-condemns-white-house-use-of-firework-in-tiktok-bombing-video ### 2026-07-24: Katy Perry condemns White House use of 'Firework' in Iran strike video White House used Katy Perry’s “Firework” in a TikTok showing U.S. strikes on Iran; Perry denounced the unauthorized use, saying the song promotes hope, not war. 158 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/katy-perry-condemns-white-house-tiktok-using-firework-in-iran-strike-video --- Cite as: Katy Perry protests White House Iran video. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/katy-perry-protests-white-house-iran-video