Macklemore and Robert Kraft pledge millions amid Ed Sheeran tour controversy

Macklemore on Wednesday pledged to donate the "entire $1 million" of his net earnings from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour to Palestinian relief organizations, days after he was dropped from the tour over his pro-Palestinian comments.

He also invited New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who said Macklemore wouldn't be welcome at Gillette Stadium for the tour's scheduled performances at the end of September, to match his donation. Within hours, Kraft released a statement saying Sheeran had already asked him to match his $2 million donation to humanitarian aid in the region.

Their statements come amid a growing controversy following Macklemore's removal that has seen all of Sheeran's supporting acts quit the tour. Sheeran is set to play in Philadelphia this weekend.

Sheeran broke his silence about Macklemore's removal from the tour on Tuesday, saying it wasn't his decision but the promoter's. Macklemore's contract for the tour was with the promoter, Sheeran said.

Here's how the controversy began — and how it continues to unfold.

Sept. 4-5: Macklemore's performances at MetLife Stadium

Earlier this month, Macklemore performed as Sheeran's opening act at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where he made pro-Palestinian comments and performed his protest song "Hind's Hall."

The song was written after protests in support of Palestine occurred on college campuses across the U.S. in 2024, and is named after Hind Rajab, a 5-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed by Israeli troops in Gaza. Israel's military acknowledged in August that its troops had opened fire on the car carrying Hind and her family and said it had opened a criminal investigation into the killing.

"A big part of the ​reason why I wanted to do this tour in the first place is so I could ​stand up in stadiums like this and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: 'Free ‌Palestine,'" ⁠Macklemore said onstage earlier this month.

His comments drew criticism from pro-Israel groups including the Israeli-American Council, which started a petition to have the Grammy-winning artist dropped from the tour.

Macklemore was scheduled to perform at eight of Sheeran's 10 remaining shows on the Loop Tour, with Philadelphia being the next stop. After that, Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., is scheduled for performances on Sept. 25 and 26. 

Sept. 14: Macklemore gets dropped from Loop Tour

In a lengthy social media post on Monday, Macklemore said, "Ed Sheeran and his team have made the decision to remove me from The Loop Tour." He described having difficult conversations with Sheeran, whom he considers "a brother."

Macklemore said Sheeran told him that Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium, didn't want Macklemore performing at the stadium over his pro-Palestinian comments. Sheeran also told Macklemore that Kraft had appealed to other stadium owners to issue him an ultimatum: "If Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues," according to the post.

Macklemore acknowledged that Sheeran was put in a difficult position.

The promoter, Messina Touring Group, confirmed in a statement to Rolling Stone that Macklemore won't perform on his remaining support dates because multiple venues wouldn't allow concerts to proceed with the rapper on the lineup.

Sept. 14: Robert Kraft responds

Kraft issued a statement to the media, saying that Gillette Stadium is responsible for providing a welcoming environment for all guests attending events at the venue. 

"Based on Macklemore's recent actions, material shared from the stage during Ed Sheeran's shows in New Jersey, and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community, we determined that his participation in the September 25th and 26th concerts at Gillette Stadium would cross that line," Kraft said in the statement.

"I agree with Macklemore. Too many lives have been lost and there has been too much suffering, but only sharing selective information and ignoring the actions of Hamas is not honest and only advances more divisiveness and hate," Kraft added.

Sept. 15: Ed Sheeran breaks his silence 

As the controversy played out, Sheeran remained publicly silent. On Sept. 15, the pop star released a statement on social media, writing, "I am appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine. The suffering and pain caused on both sides is a human tragedy. There are too many wars across the world causing immeasurable pain, none of which should be tolerated." 

Sheeran then explained that he preferred to remain publicly neutral on political issues and that Macklemore's removal wasn't his decision.

"Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter's decision, it was not mine. Macklemore's contract for the tour was with the promoter, not me," he wrote.

"I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living," Sheeran wrote.

Sept. 15: Sheeran's backing band and supporting acts pull out of the tour 

Sheeran's own backing band, Beoga — which had been performing several songs around the middle of each set — announced on social media that they would be departing the Loop Tour in light of Macklemore's dismissal.

"We believe in dialogue as a means of progressing the plight of the Palestinian people. … We are Irish people who understand colonialism. As founding members of the Irish Artists for Palestine movement, we are committed activists for justice and will continue to be."

Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe announced in an Instagram post that he had dropped out as an opener on the tour.

"I don't take the decision lightly. Ed has been a friend to me and has changed my life, I could never thank him enough for this," the Irish musician wrote.

"But as Irish people," Rowe continued, "we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation. I cannot stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up against Israeli genocide and who highlight the savage murder of children."

Danish pop band Lukas Graham also announced on Tuesday their withdrawal as a supporting act for Sheeran's tour.

Singer-songwriter Finneas also announced on Instagram that he was pulling out of the South American portion of the tour. "Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed," he wrote. "I have decided to withdraw my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran. I stand with Palestine and its people."

As of Wednesday, Graham and Rowe are still listed as special guests on Sheeran's Loop Tour website.

Sept. 16: Macklemore pledges $1 million to Palestinian relief groups. Kraft responds.

On Wednesday afternoon, the rapper wrote in a post on Instagram, "I will be donating the entire $1 million of my net earnings from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour to six organizations working directly to support the Palestinian people."

He then encouraged Kraft to match his donation. "Whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives are worth protecting."

Macklemore added, "Writing a check is one of the least costly forms of solidarity available to me. I am doing it because I can, and because these organizations are doing the work while much of the world debates it."

Within hours of Macklemore's pledge, Kraft issued his own statement, saying, "I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people. I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting. Earlier today, before Macklemore challenged me to match his donation, Ed called me and asked me to commit $2 million to match his donation to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis. Ed now plans to reach out to other venue owners and our goal is to continue to work together to build bridges.

"In addition, I'd like the people who are speaking in support of the Palestinian people to know that for decades, I have supported efforts that create opportunity for Palestinians and have brought young Palestinians and Israelis together to build businesses, create jobs, and forge relationships."