Kathy Griffin Urges Ed Sheeran to Defy Robert Kraft Over Macklemore Controversy

Comedian Kathy Griffin asserted that Ed Sheeran should have rejected demands to remove Macklemore from his tour dates, suggesting Sheeran tell stadium owner Robert Kraft to "go f--- yourself." Macklemore was reportedly barred from performing as an opening act for Sheeran at Gillette Stadium due to his repeated "Free Palestine" chants and performance of his song "Hind's Hall."

In an interview with Queerty, Griffin argued that Sheeran had options beyond acquiescing to the venues and promoters who made the decision to remove Macklemore. "When Robert Kraft says I’ve called all the other stadium owners and they’re not gonna let you do the show with Macklemore either, Ed Sheeran should’ve said go f--- yourself, I can go to Brazil and perform for 250,000 people," Griffin said.

Sheeran had previously stated that the decision to pull Macklemore from subsequent tour dates was made by the concert promoter and venues, not by him. Griffin also voiced her support for the "Free Palestine" movement, describing the situation as a "genuine genocide that is happening there, in my opinion."

Macklemore, who has faced criticism from pro-Israel groups for his stance and has been accused of promoting antisemitism, announced his own "Free Palestine Tour" with dates scheduled in Dublin, Paris, and London. The Israeli-American Council (IAC) released a statement applauding Kraft and other stadium owners for barring Macklemore, calling his actions "antisemitism" and stating that "a performer who traffics in antisemitism should not be given a stage."