Overview
- The official TikTok account posted a short clip that synchronized the lyric “Boom, boom, boom” from “Firework” with footage of explosions and the caption “The Iran was warned.”
- Katy Perry publicly condemned the use on X, calling it a “complete betrayal” of the song’s message and saying she did not consent to its use.
- Reporting notes Perry sold most of her pop catalog in 2023 and no longer controls many master rights, though she remains credited as a songwriter, which limits her direct legal leverage over licensing.
- This incident follows earlier protests by artists after the administration used music in political videos, including a December 2025 clip that drew Sabrina Carpenter’s objection and was removed after platform action.
- The episode raises practical questions about licensing, platform takedown policies and reputational risk for officials, and could prompt more artists to press platforms or rights holders for removals or clearer consent rules.