Macklemore has been removed from the remaining dates of Ed Sheeran's U.S. stadium tour after New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft barred him from performing at Gillette Stadium due to pro-Palestinian speeches and alleged antisemitism.
Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, stated that the decision was based on Macklemore's recent actions, material shared from the stage during Ed Sheeran's shows at MetLife Stadium, and a "broader history of anti-Semitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community."
Gillette Stadium "has a longstanding commitment to providing a welcoming environment for all guests and ensuring that events held at our venue do not provide a platform for hate speech," Kraft said in a statement to ESPN.
The rapper performed at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 4 and 5, where he wore a keffiyeh, showed footage of destruction in Gaza, performed a song titled "Hind’s Hall," and led the crowd in "Free Palestine" chants. The song includes lyrics accusing Israel of genocide.
Macklemore stated that the tour provided him a large platform to promote his political message and claimed Sheeran informed him that Kraft had influenced other stadium owners to remove him from the tour.
Messina Touring Group, the tour promoter, confirmed Macklemore’s removal from all remaining U.S. dates after multiple venue operators refused to allow him to perform. Eight of the 10 remaining tour stops were scheduled for NFL stadiums.
Macklemore's past controversies include a 2014 performance in Seattle where he wore a costume criticized by civil rights groups, including the Anti-Defamation League, for resembling anti-Jewish caricatures. Macklemore at the time attributed the costume to a random coincidence.
Kraft, founder of the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, emphasized that his decision was not intended to diminish the suffering of Palestinians or deny advocacy for them. "But that advocacy should not come at the expense of the Jewish community or obscure the responsibility of Hamas, a designated terrorist organization whose horrific actions have caused immeasurable suffering," Kraft said.
He added that supporting innocent civilians and opposing Hamas and antisemitism should not be mutually exclusive. Kraft expressed a willingness to meet with Macklemore to discuss the issues, stating, "ultimately our goal is the same: peace for all people, an end to suffering, and an end to all hate."
Macklemore responded via social media, attributing his removal to venue operators and Kraft, while acknowledging Sheeran's difficult position. He did not accept Kraft's characterization of his comments as hate speech and indicated he was prepared for the consequence of losing his tour spot.