Katy Perry, the 41-year-old pop sensation known for her relationship with former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, recently expressed disapproval of the Trump Administration for featuring her song in a TikTok video showcasing explosions related to the conflict with Iran. The White House posted a brief video on Thursday that included part of Perry’s song “Firework” synchronized with footage of alleged U.S. strikes against Iran, accompanied by a message warning Iran.
Perry condemned the use of her music in this context, stating that the song was intended to inspire hope and strength during challenging times, not to glorify destruction and violence. Despite her objection, Perry has limited control over the use of her songs, as she sold the publishing rights for five albums, including “Teenage Dream,” to Litmus Music for $225 million in 2023. Universal Music Group retains ownership of the masters, dictating how the audio content is utilized and shared, under a global licensing agreement with TikTok established in 2024.
Perry is not alone in her disapproval of unauthorized use of music by the Trump administration. Other artists, such as Ariana Grande and Bruce Springsteen, have also criticized the White House for incorporating their music into videos and events without permission. Perry has a history of supporting Democratic candidates in the U.S., including Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris, while her partner, Trudeau, has faced criticism from Trump in the past. Perry accompanied Trudeau to the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this year, where he highlighted the importance of soft power.
