Katy Perry shares Claude Pro subscription screenshot with heart drawn on after Pentagon drops Anthropic
Business Insider
February 28, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Katy Perry has unexpectedly joined the fray in a high-stakes dispute between Anthropic, an AI startup, and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). The singer shared a screenshot of her $214.99 annual subscription to Claude Pro, Anthropic's advanced AI tool, with a heart drawn around the billing options. Her cryptic post, captioned simply "done," quickly went viral, amassing 2.8 million views and sparking speculation that she was signaling support for Anthropic in its clash with the DoD.
The tension escalated after the DoD labeled Anthropic a supply chain risk and announced it would phase out its military contracts. This move came following an ultimatum from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who demanded Anthropic remove restrictions on the U.S. military's use of its AI models for all lawful purposes. Anthropic, known for its refusal to drop safeguards against mass surveillance and autonomous weapons, has vowed to challenge this designation in court.
Perry's gesture appears to align with a growing public backlash against the DoD's decision. Her support may reflect a broader sentiment among those who view Anthropic's stance as principled. Meanwhile, the business implications of the DoD's actions are significant: it effectively blacklists Anthropic from future government contracts, a major blow for any company reliant on such revenue.
The situation highlights the ethical and political complexities surrounding AI development and its relationship with the military. While some view the DoD's move as necessary for national security, others see it as an overreach that stifles innovation. The public responseāembodied by Perry's symbolic subscriptionāunderscores the high stakes of this debate in the tech and business worlds.
As the legal battle unfolds, Anthropic's future remains uncertain. However, its ability to rally public support, evidenced by Perry's post and Claude Pro's surge in popularity, suggests a broader cultural shift in how AI is perceived. Whether Perry's subscription translates into actionable support for the company or simply reflects her personal views remains to be seen, but her involvement adds a new dimension to this unfolding story.
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Originally published on Business Insider on 2/28/2026