New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft announced that Ed Sheeran asked him to commit $2 million to match a donation for regional aid following a backlash over pro-Palestinian rapper Macklemore being dropped from Sheeran’s tour. Kraft confirmed barring Macklemore from Gillette Stadium due to alleged hate speech.
Kraft announced the requested pledge in his second statement of the week regarding the dispute, though he did not specify where the funds would be directed.
Gillette Stadium Ban and the Macklemore Controversy
The dispute stems from Kraft’s decision to bar Macklemore—real name Benjamin Haggerty—from performing as an opening act at Gillette Stadium near Boston. Kraft further alleged that the Grammy-winning rapper possessed a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric
and shared selective information while ignoring Hamas’s actions. Macklemore has denied these accusations.
Macklemore previously called for a free Palestine
and displayed images of devastation in Gaza during two Sheeran concerts in New Jersey earlier this month. Following his removal from the line-up just days before the tour was set to resume in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, all other support acts on the US tour quit in solidarity. The departing artists include Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Danish band Lukas Graham, and Irish folk band Beoga, who perform alongside Sheeran nightly.
Ed Sheeran’s Response and the $2 Million Aid Request
Facing mounting backlash, Sheeran stated that promoters made the decision to drop Macklemore and maintained that he would not enter a public debate over Gaza. Despite distancing himself from the removal decision, Sheeran reached out to Kraft regarding humanitarian assistance.
Earlier today, before Macklemore challenged me to match his donation, Ed called me and asked me to commit $2 million to match his donation to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis. Ed now plans to reach out to other venue owners and our goal is to continue to work together to build bridges.
Robert Kraft, New England Patriots owner
Macklemore announced on Wednesday that he would donate $1m—representing his entire net earnings from the Loop Tour—to six Palestinian organisations to bring focus back to the Palestinian people, while challenging Kraft to match the sum.
Kraft Details Prior Humanitarian Efforts
In his statement, the 85-year-old billionaire emphasized his long-standing engagement in the region. Kraft stated that he has supported efforts creating economic opportunities for Palestinians and worked to bring young Palestinians and Israelis together to build businesses, create jobs, and forge relationships.
I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people,
Kraft said, according to the statement. I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting.
While Macklemore claimed that Kraft intended to lobby other stadium owners to ban the rapper from additional venues, the head of the Kraft Group did not confirm whether such an effort was underway.
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