Macklemore announced that he will donate his entire net earnings from Ed Sheeran’s tour, one million dollars, to six organizations supporting Palestinians. The pledge followed a public dispute with Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and the stadium where the tour was scheduled to continue.
The conflict began after Kraft accused Macklemore of promoting "antisemitic rhetoric and imagery" during his performances, referring to unspecified material shared on stage. Kraft’s intervention led to Macklemore’s removal from the tour lineup. Macklemore challenged Kraft to match his donation, saying support for Palestinian lives is a cause worth uniting behind, regardless of disagreements. Billboard reported that Macklemore named the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, HEAL Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, UNRWA USA National Committee, and Anera as recipients of his $1 million pledge.
The conflict was triggered by Macklemore’s September 4 performance at MetLife Stadium, where he voiced support for Palestinians and called out 'Free Palestine.'
Kraft released a statement stressing his commitment to building bridges between communities and protecting all lives. He pointed to his support for programs that bring Palestinian and Israeli youth together for business and employment opportunities. Kraft did not announce a new donation, but mentioned ongoing work with Sheeran and other stadium owners to continue those efforts. Al Jazeera and The Athletic reported that Kraft said his decision to bar Macklemore from Gillette Stadium was based on the rapper’s recent statements and what Kraft described as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric. He also said his actions were not intended as opposition to Palestinian advocacy itself.
The fallout continued after Macklemore’s departure. Other artists scheduled to open for Sheeran also withdrew from the tour. The Boston Globe reported that several opening acts left in solidarity with Macklemore, adding to disruption around the North American tour dates. Kraft said Sheeran had asked him to allocate two million dollars to humanitarian aid in the region, but provided no further details about the timing or specifics of that support.
Ed Sheeran publicly distanced himself from the decision to remove Macklemore, saying venues and the tour promoter made the choice, not him. NBC News highlighted the clarification as an impressive correction to early reports suggesting Sheeran was directly involved in the removal.
Macklemore described his donation as a straightforward gesture of solidarity, calling it "one of the least costly forms of support" he could offer. The Ed Sheeran tour is set to continue in Philadelphia this weekend, with tickets still available despite changes to the opening acts.
When artists and venue owners clash over political expression, the effects on the live events industry are immediate. Macklemore’s decision to donate his tour earnings to Palestinian aid, alongside the withdrawal of other performers, reflects artists’ willingness to take public stands even if that means losing major opportunities.
