Michael Che Mocks Macklemore's 'Free Palestine Tour' on SNL

Michael Che, co-anchor of "Weekend Update" on "Saturday Night Live," targeted rapper Macklemore with a joke on Saturday regarding his newly announced "Free Palestine Tour." The tour announcement came shortly after Macklemore was dropped as an opening act from Ed Sheeran's U.S. stadium tour due to his pro-Palestinian performances.

Che introduced the segment by mentioning Macklemore's departure from Sheeran's tour before transitioning to the rapper's new concert series. "Rapper Macklemore, who was dropped as the opening act for Ed Sheeran, announced that he is launching a Free Palestine tour," Che stated on air. He then delivered the punchline: "But haven’t the Palestinian people been through enough?"

Christian Toto, a film critic and founder of Hollywood in Toto, commented to Fox News Digital that celebrity engagement with the Israel-Palestine conflict often aligns with socially approved stances within the entertainment industry. Toto described the call for a "Free Palestine" as a "socially rewarded position" and the "new BLM," suggesting it allows celebrities to gain approval without facing significant scrutiny from entertainment reporters.

Macklemore announced the "Free Palestine Tour" with initial dates in Dublin on October 26, Paris on October 29, and London on October 30, with more U.S. dates expected. He stated that proceeds would benefit organizations supporting Palestinians.

In his tour announcement, Macklemore asserted that artists could no longer remain detached from the conflict in Gaza. "It’s 2026. Being apolitical during a genocide doesn’t work anymore," Macklemore said. "People are asking artists to show up, educate themselves and be in community. To use the stage for more than entertainment. To push back when the call for a Free Palestine is met with attempts to silence it."

The tour announcement followed weeks of controversy after Macklemore's repeated calls for a "Free Palestine" and his performance of the song "Hind's Hall" during Sheeran's concerts on September 4 and 5. The Messina Touring Group cited venue prohibitions against concerts with Macklemore on the lineup as the reason for his removal.

Sheeran stated he was not personally responsible for Macklemore's removal, indicating the decision was made by venues and promoters, though he attempted to mediate the situation. Following Macklemore's departure, Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Beoga reportedly withdrew from Sheeran's tour in solidarity.

Macklemore had pledged to donate his $1 million earnings from Sheeran's tour to Palestinian aid organizations. Sheeran and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft also announced plans to contribute $2 million toward humanitarian relief efforts in the region.

Toto suggested that most musicians are cautious about alienating their audiences with political statements, with figures like Springsteen, Morello, and Macklemore being exceptions. He argued that the high cost of concert tickets makes artists hesitant to alienate fans, while actors may prioritize appeasing industry peers and potential employers over audience reaction, often adhering to an "approved script."