Michael Rapaport Cheers Macklemore's Removal from Ed Sheeran Tour Amid Pro-Palestine Stance

Actor Michael Rapaport expressed approval Monday after rapper Macklemore was reportedly removed from Ed Sheeran's tour. Rapaport's reaction followed Macklemore's repeated calls for a "Free Palestine" and his performance of the song "Hind's Hall" as an opening act.

"Macklemore don't rap no more, you got kicked off the tour," Rapaport stated in a video posted on X, formerly Twitter. "That's a better verse than anything you've done in your ridiculous career as a non-rapper."

Rapaport, who is Jewish, criticized Macklemore's use of the tour for political messaging, stating, "When people come out to see a musical performer, you need to perform music, not spread bulls--- lies about a fake genocide, a fake occupation and a fake apartheid."

Macklemore had previously defended his decision to use the tour to spread his message, saying in a video, "A big part of the reason why I wanted to do this tour in the first place is so I could stand up in stadiums like this and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: Free Palestine."

He continued, "I said, ‘Free Palestine!’ I want those words to be loud and clear, so that people all the way in Gaza to the occupied West Bank know that we have not forgotten about them."

Rapaport also claimed that his pro-Israel stance has created professional difficulties for him. "The career stuff has been a problem," he told host Craig Carton on "The Craig Carton Show." "There's been an issue. The show's being boycotted. Sucks. It doesn't make anybody comfortable. It doesn't make the club comfortable. It doesn't make the other comedians comfortable."

Rapaport reported facing anti-Semitic and anti-Jewish comments and threats in New York City due to his views. "That hurts me, it embarrasses me, I don't want any other Jewish people behind me to feel uncomfortable, or scared or hesitant to fight, stand up and be proud, however they do it," he said.

Other public figures have also criticized Macklemore's actions. Twitch streamer Hasan Piker called the decision to remove Macklemore "absolutely ridiculous" and attributed it to "our billionaires" prioritizing their support for Israel over free expression. Bill Maher has also spoken out against Macklemore's stance, suggesting that celebrity "moral confusion" is contributing to antisemitism.