On July 25, 2026, pop singer Katy Perry expressed public outrage after the White House featured her hit song "Firework" as the backing track for a TikTok video showing military strikes against targets in Iran. The video, captioned "Iran has been warned," utilized the song to accompany footage of combat operations.

Perry explicitly stated that she did not approve the use of her music and was never asked for permission. She described the song as an "anthem of hope, healing, and inner strength" intended to unite people, rather than promote conflict or violence. She characterized the administration's decision to use her music as an act that turns a message of encouragement into a soundtrack for destruction.

The incident highlights a growing tension regarding the usage of intellectual property by government official channels. As of now, the White House has not issued a formal public response to the singer's criticism regarding the unauthorized use of her work.