Macklemore to Donate $1M Ed Sheeran Tour Earnings to Palestine After Tour Exit

Tour Removal Following MetLife Stadium Remarks

The controversy began when Macklemore delivered a two-minute speech during his set at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, expressing support for a “free Palestine.” According to reporting from CNN and The Guardian, the remarks prompted a petition from the Israeli-American Council demanding his removal from the concert series. Ed Sheeran explained in a public statement that venue owners, including New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft at Gillette Stadium, informed him the tour could not play at their venues if Macklemore remained on the bill, leading to his exclusion as an opening act.

Direct Challenge to Robert Kraft

In his announcement, Macklemore directly challenged Robert Kraft to match his $1 million donation. According to The Guardian, the rapper wrote on Instagram, “Whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives are worth protecting. A Palestinian life is no less valuable than any other life on this earth.” The funds are intended for six organizations working directly with Palestinian civilians, medical personnel, and aid workers in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

Solidarity and Industry Reactions

Following Macklemore’s removal from the tour, four additional supporting acts—Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Boega, and Lukas Graham—withdrew from remaining dates on Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour in solidarity. The fallout also drew comments from former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who discussed the venue owners’ actions on the MeidasTouch podcast, characterizing the collective refusal to host the artist as venue owner collusion.