Celebrities split over Macklemore after tour removal for Palestine remarks
Rapper Macklemore was dropped from Ed Sheeran's North American tour after making pro-Palestine statements during opening performances at MetLife Stadium on September 4, 2026. The Israeli American Council and venues including Gillette Stadium, owned by billionaire Robert Kraft, objected to his remarks and performance of the song Hind's Hall. All other opening acts—including Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Beoga, and Lukas Graham—subsequently quit the tour in solidarity with Macklemore. The controversy has divided celebrities and public figures across political lines. Supporters including AOC, Bernie Sanders, Roger Waters, Kehlani, Lewis Hamilton, Greta Thunberg, and Florence Pugh backed Macklemore, arguing he spoke important truths about Palestinian suffering. Critics including Barstool's Dave Portnoy, Boy George, and conservative outlets cited his prior antisemitic incidents from 2014 and objected to political messaging at a concert. Ed Sheeran claimed he didn't make the removal decision and said he avoids politics on his professional platform.
Key facts
- Macklemore made 'Free Palestine' remarks at MetLife Stadium on September 4, 2026, during opening act performances
- All remaining support acts quit Ed Sheeran's tour in solidarity with Macklemore within days of his removal
- Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium and New England Patriots, led opposition that resulted in Macklemore being dropped
- Macklemore's post about the removal garnered 7.2 million likes with supportive comments from dozens of celebrities
- In 2014, Macklemore wore a costume criticized as an antisemitic caricature and later apologized
- Gaza death toll cited by supporters exceeds 73,000 according to Associated Press reporting
How different outlets framed it
Left-leaning coverage: Left-leaning supporters frame this as corporate censorship and a choice between human rights advocacy and silence. They highlight billionaires colluding to silence dissent, point to Gaza's death toll exceeding 73,000 people, and criticize Ed Sheeran for prioritizing comfortable distance over solidarity. Many note Sheeran's willingness to campaign for Ukraine, suggesting his political neutrality claim is hypocritical.
Right-leaning coverage: Right-leaning critics emphasize Macklemore's alleged antisemitic history, citing his 2014 costume with a fake beard and large prosthetic nose as evidence of deeper prejudice. They argue the tour was not the appropriate venue for political messaging and that paying concert-goers deserved Ed Sheeran's music, not activism. Conservative commentators defend venue owners' legal right to refuse performers and frame this as capitalism, not censorship.
Limits of this briefing
Right-leaning American media outlets showed limited coverage relative to center and left outlets. Some claims about Macklemore's past statements remain disputed or contextualized differently across sources. Boy George's criticism was not extensively covered in major outlets, limiting visibility of his specific objections.
Sources
- Variety: Ed Sheeran Backlash: Celebrities Slam Singer for Dropping Macklemore Centre
- CNN: Fellow opening acts quit after Ed Sheeran tour drops Macklemore Centre
- Forbes: Here's Which Celebrities Are Backing And Opposing Macklemore Centre
- Breitbart: Macklemore's Years-Long Hate Parade: Jewface, Nazi Salutes, Posting 'Bush Knocked Down the Towers' on 9/11 Right
- Rolling Stone: Macklemore Explains 'F-ck America' Comment, Is 'Unwavering' in 'Support for a Free Palestine' Left