# Macklemore Booted After 'Free Palestine' Remarks — Who's to Blame?

- URL: https://twotakes.us/stories/macklemore-booted-after-free-palestine-remarks-whos-to-blame
- Published: 2026-09-17T01:02:07.732304+00:00
- Topics: israel-palestine, antisemitism, celebrity-politics, free-speech, music-industry

## What the left says
- Robert Kraft, a billionaire NFL owner and major pro-Israel donor, used his financial leverage over stadium access to pressure Ed Sheeran into cutting Macklemore, illustrating how concentrated wealth can override free expression on political issues.
- Macklemore's removal punishes him for simply saying 'Free Palestine' and highlighting Palestinian civilian deaths, conflating criticism of Israeli military conduct with antisemitism in a way that silences legitimate humanitarian advocacy.
- Macklemore himself has reframed the controversy, insisting the real victims are Palestinian civilians rather than performers facing professional consequences for speaking out.
- Grassroots and local political support, such as the mayor of Dearborn's offer to host a free concert, shows a groundswell of solidarity for Macklemore's message among Arab American and pro-Palestinian communities.

## What the right says
- Robert Kraft and Jewish advocacy groups say Macklemore's on-stage remarks and imagery, including a prosthetic nose widely seen as an antisemitic caricature, crossed the line from political advocacy into hateful rhetoric targeting Jewish people.
- Venues and stadium owners made an independent business decision to protect their brand and audiences after receiving backlash, and the promoter, not Kraft alone, ultimately made the call to drop Macklemore.
- Kraft explicitly says his objection is not about silencing pro-Palestinian advocacy but about rejecting rhetoric he considers antisemitic and about holding Hamas accountable as the actor most responsible for Palestinian suffering.
- Critics note the irony that Macklemore quickly found a warm welcome in Dearborn, Michigan, a city with a large Arab American population, suggesting his message resonates within an ideological bubble rather than reflecting mainstream consensus.

## Common ground
- Macklemore made pro-Palestinian remarks, including 'Free Palestine' and performing 'Hind's Hall,' during his opening sets for Ed Sheeran at MetLife Stadium.
- Messina Touring Group, the tour promoter, made the final decision to remove Macklemore after venues said they would not host the show with him on the bill.
- Both Kraft and Macklemore say their ultimate goal is peace and an end to suffering for civilians on both sides of the conflict.
- Ed Sheeran approved Macklemore's original setlist and has stated he personally holds views on the conflict but chooses not to use his platform for political statements.

## Sources
- [BBC News](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3vgyn49y4l7o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) (Center)
- [Breitbart](https://www.breitbart.com/sports/2026/09/14/new-england-patriots-owner-robert-kraft-says-rapper-macklemore-spread-division-and-hate-at-ed-sheeran-stadium-tour/) (Right)
- [CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/macklemore-dropped-from-ed-sheeran-tour/) (Lean Left)
- [Daily Wire](https://www.dailywire.com/news/macklemore-blames-jewish-nfl-owner-for-getting-him-booted-from-ed-sheeran-tour) (Right)
- [NBC News](https://www.today.com/video/patriots-robert-kraft-confirms-he-organized-macklemore-ban-269870661719) (Lean Left)
- [NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/macklemore-draws-support-celebs-politicians-dispute-robert-kraft-pales-rcna597907) (Lean Left)
- [New York Post](https://nypost.com/2026/09/15/us-news/mayor-of-arab-majority-city-invites-macklemore-to-perform-free-concert-after-anti-israel-uproar/) (Lean Right)
- [RedState](https://redstate.com/nick-arama/2026/09/15/macklemore-n2206948) (Unknown)
- [The Nation](https://www.thenation.com/article/society/macklemore-ed-sheeran-robert-kraft-palestine/) (Left)
- [Townhall](https://townhall.com/news/amy-curtis/2026/09/15/macklemore-come-perform-in-dearborn-n2682975) (Right)

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