# Macklemore Ousted After 'Free Palestine' Chants; Sheeran Denies Blame

- URL: https://twotakes.us/stories/macklemore-ousted-after-free-palestine-chants-sheeran-denies-blame
- Published: 2026-09-16T19:04:25.284208+00:00
- Topics: israel-palestine, gaza, music-industry, free-speech, antisemitism, celebrity-activism

## What the left says
- Artists have a right to use their platform to speak about humanitarian suffering, and Macklemore's calls to 'Free Palestine' reflect widespread concern over civilian deaths in Gaza rather than antisemitism.
- The fact that all four remaining opening acts quit in solidarity signals that many musicians see this as a free speech and conscience issue, not just a contract dispute.
- Pressure from a powerful, wealthy stadium owner like Robert Kraft to silence an artist raises concerns about billionaires using financial leverage to suppress political dissent.
- Sheeran's insistence on neutrality is itself being challenged as untenable when his tour became the venue for suppressing a legitimate viewpoint on a humanitarian crisis.

## What the right says
- Concertgoers pay for entertainment, not a political lecture, and venues and promoters were within their rights to object when a paid opening act turned shows into anti-Israel platforms.
- Macklemore's rhetoric and song 'Hind's Hall' go beyond calling for peace and cross into one-sided anti-Israel messaging that many in the Jewish community view as antisemitic in effect.
- Robert Kraft, who runs an organization combating antisemitism, had legitimate reason to object to hosting a performer using his platform for inflammatory political content at his venue.
- Ed Sheeran's attempt to remain apolitical and let contractual business decisions play out was reasonable, and blaming him personally shifts responsibility away from the promoter's actual decision.

## Common ground
- Macklemore was removed from the remaining U.S. dates of Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour after voicing pro-Palestinian support and performing 'Hind's Hall' during shows at MetLife Stadium.
- Messina Touring Group, the tour promoter, has stated the decision to drop Macklemore came from venues threatening to cancel shows, not from Sheeran himself.
- Robert Kraft was directly involved in objecting to Macklemore's inclusion at Gillette Stadium and in encouraging other venues to do the same.
- All four of Sheeran's remaining supporting acts subsequently quit the tour, and Sheeran has publicly denied responsibility for Macklemore's removal.

## Sources
- [AllSides](https://www.allsides.com/news/2026-09-16-0700/culture-macklemore-doubles-down-after-getting-kicked-ed-sheeran-tour-after-pro-palestine-stance) (Center)
- [AllSides](https://www.allsides.com/news/2026-09-16-0700/culture-ed-sheeran-blames-us-tour-promoter-dropping-macklemore) (Center)
- [AllSides](https://www.allsides.com/news/2026-09-16-0700/culture-macklemore-says-robert-kraft-stadium-owners-fueled-his-ouster-ed-sheerans-tour-over-call-free-palestine) (Center)
- [Axios](https://www.axios.com/2026/09/15/ed-sheeran-loop-tour-macklemore-gaza-backlash) (Lean Left)
- [BBC News](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm17jz89rxevo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) (Center)
- [Breitbart](https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2026/09/15/ed-sheeran-distances-himself-from-decision-to-drop-macklemore-as-anti-israel-mob-attempts-to-shame-sheeran-into-canceling-tour/) (Unknown)
- [Daily Wire](https://www.dailywire.com/news/all-of-ed-sheerans-support-acts-rage-quit-tour-back-macklemore) (Right)
- [Daily Wire](https://www.dailywire.com/news/ed-sheeran-responds-to-the-macklemore-mess-i-am-not-complicit) (Right)

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