[REVISION HISTORY]

White House TikTok music controversies continue

Updated 2 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-07-26 15:29 UTC → 2026-07-26 19:57 UTC · added ~~removed~~

In late July 2026 the White House ~~posted an eight‑second~~ sparked a wave of artist backlash by posting short TikTok ~~video~~ clips that paired popular songs with policy‑related messages. An eight‑second video paired the Mexican norteña hit “La Chona” with a ~~message~~ warning that deportations would continue, ~~drawing~~ prompting criticism from Mexican ~~artists.~~ musicians. The following day the administration ~~shared another TikTok clip showing~~ posted footage of U.S. ~~military~~ strikes on Iran set to Katy Perry’s 2010 single “Firework.” Perry ~~publicly~~ condemned the unauthorized ~~use, describing~~ use on X, calling herself as “deeply appalled and angry” and ~~emphasizing~~ stressing that the song’s hopeful message should not be linked to warfare. ~~Despite~~ The video’s caption read “Iran has been warned” with a fireworks emoji and remained online despite her ~~objection, the White House did not remove the video.~~ objection. Perry’s reaction adds to a growing ~~backlash from musicians—such as~~ chorus of musicians—including Ariana Grande, Sabrina ~~Carpenter,~~ Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo—who have protested the White House’s practice of repurposing popular ~~songs~~ tracks for political messaging. The incidents occur amid heightened U.S.–Iran tensions and broader debates over the appropriateness of using copyrighted music in ~~policy‑related~~ government communications. The White House has so far not removed any of the disputed TikTok ~~posts.~~ posts, fueling continued criticism from the artists and their fans.

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