American billionaire Robert Kraft confirmed that he pressured pop star Ed Sheeran to remove rapper Macklemore from his US tour. Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, stated that allowing Macklemore to perform would cross a line due to what he described as the rapper's recent performances containing anti-Semitic rhetoric and imagery. On September 15, 2026, Sheeran denied involvement in Macklemore's removal, attributing the decision to the venue and promoter.
Kraft, a Jewish American billionaire and owner of the New England Patriots, has an estimated wealth of over $13 billion. He has supported various Jewish and Israeli causes, including funding the campaign "Stand Up to Jewish Hate" with more than $20 million. In 2019, he received the Genesis Prize for his contributions to the Jewish community, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recognizing him as a loyal friend of Israel.
Earlier this month, Macklemore opened a Sheeran show at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, delivering a speech about Palestine. He stated, "The people all the way in Gaza to the occupied West Bank know that we have not forgotten about them. I say free Palestine." Following this, the Israeli-American Council initiated a petition to have Macklemore removed from the tour.
Macklemore defended his statements and performances, asserting that advocating for equal treatment of all humans should not be controversial. In an Instagram post, he claimed that Sheeran informed him that Kraft said he would not be allowed to perform at Gillette Stadium and that Kraft had rallied other venue owners against him.
Kraft's public statement did not address the claim regarding lobbying other stadium owners but emphasized that his decision was not about diminishing Palestinian suffering. He stated, "But that advocacy should not come at the expense of the Jewish community or obscure the responsibility of Hamas."
Sheeran confirmed on Instagram that Macklemore's removal was due to his pro-Palestinian stance, but he denied responsibility for the decision. He expressed his dismay over the conflict and emphasized the human tragedy caused by the situation. Sheeran explained that venues communicated they would withdraw from the tour if Macklemore remained as a support act, and he had been in discussions with both venues and promoters.
Radhika Sainath, litigation director for Palestine Legal, questioned the contractual terms that would allow Kraft to veto tour openers expressing support for Palestinian rights. She suggested that had Sheeran resisted the pressure, he might have retained the moral high ground and potentially sought damages for losses incurred from Kraft's threatened cancellation.
Kraft previously suspended financial contributions to Columbia University due to concerns over the institution's ability to protect its students amid protests against Israel's actions in Gaza. The Kraft family has donated at least $18 million to the university. In 2025, the Trump administration withdrew $400 million in federal funding for Columbia, citing its failure to prevent anti-Semitic acts, leading to a settlement of $221 million to restore funding.
Critics have pointed out perceived double standards regarding the treatment of those advocating for Palestinian rights compared to others, such as rapper Kanye West, who performed at Raymond James Stadium despite facing backlash for anti-Semitic comments. While Macklemore did not blame Sheeran for the situation, Sheeran has previously participated in charity efforts for Ukraine, highlighting his complex position in the ongoing discourse.