Topline
Ed Sheeran broke his silence on Macklemore’s removal from his U.S. tour, saying in a lengthy post Tuesday he had nothing to do with the rapper’s ejection, which was spearheaded by the tour’s promoter after venues threatened to pull shows.
Ed Sheeran performs onstage during iHeartRadio z100’s Jingle Ball 2025 Presented By Capital One at Madison Square Garden on December 12, 2025 in New York City.
Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for iHeartRadio
Key Facts
Sheeran said in an Instagram post that venues on upcoming tour dates told the promoter they would pull the shows if Macklemore remained on the lineup, and that he “spoke with the venues at length all week to try and build a bridge,” including direct talks with Robert Kraft and activists on both sides.
Kraft confirmed Monday he worked to have Macklemore barred from playing at certain venues on the tour, saying his decision was informed by “a broader history of rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community.”
Macklemore made “free Palestine” remarks while performing at two of Sheeran’s concerts earlier this month.
Gillette Stadium, which the Kraft family’s Kraft Sports Group owns, Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, were among the venues that reportedly objected to Macklemore’s inclusion.
Macklemore defended his comments in a post Monday and said, “Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners” and gave him an ultimatum: “if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues.”
The rapper said Sheeran was “in a f—– up position,” adding, “His typical apolitical stance was being challenged in a way it had never been before.”
CRUCIAL QUOTE
Sheeran, who has largely kept distance from political subjects in his music and touring, said Tuesday he is “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine” and that the “suffering and pain caused on both sides is a human tragedy.”
What Did Macklemore Say?
During a Sept. 4 show at MetLife stadium, Macklemore said one of the reasons he was on Sheeran’s tour was to be able to “stand up here on stages and stadiums across America and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: ‘Free Palestine.’” He added, “every single human being that walks this earth deserves” to “know safety and peace before they know the sound of violence, to know the sound of laughter on a playground before planes and bombs, for parents to be able to say bye to their kids in the morning and not have to wonder if this is going to be the last time they kiss their child goodbye.” Macklemore also blasted Immigration and Customs Enforcement in his speech and said, “free America, free Cuba to the Congo to Sudan to Iran, and all the people in America who have to live in fear because of this terrorist organization ICE.”
Key Background
Following his initial marks, Macklemore addressed his “Jewish brothers and sisters” at the tour’s second show in New York, saying “criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you. My message is for peace, love and for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect and equality.” The rapper has supported Palestinian causes since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, which he called an “abomination.” In 2024, he released a song called “Hind’s Hall” that criticized the Israeli government and accused it of genocide. His removal from the tour was pioneered by Kraft, who in 2019 founded the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism and reportedly pledged to match a $100 million donation made to the organization in 2023. The Kraft Group’s website says it has “supported and launched numerous programs that create a connection to Israel and Jewish life.”
Further Reading
Macklemore Defends ‘Free Palestine’ Remarks At Ed Sheeran Concert Despite Growing Backlash (Forbes)
Macklemore Says Billionaire Robert Kraft Pioneered His Removal From Ed Sheeran’s Tour (Forbes)
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