American rapper Macklemore has pledged to donate $1 million in net earnings from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour to six organizations supporting Palestinians, days after he was removed from the remaining US dates of the tour.
Macklemore, whose real name is Ben Haggerty, announced the donation on social media and challenged New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft to match his contribution. The announcement came amid continuing controversy over the rapper’s removal from Sheeran’s tour following his public comments in support of Palestinians.
Macklemore said the full $1 million would be distributed among six organizations working to support Palestinians. The groups are the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, Anera, HEAL Palestine, Medical Aid for Palestinians, Gaza Soup Kitchen and UNRWA USA.
In his announcement, Macklemore said he wanted the focus to return to Palestinians and humanitarian concerns rather than remain centered on the dispute surrounding his departure from the tour.
He also acknowledged that making a financial donation was considerably easier than the work being carried out by people affected by the conflict and organizations providing assistance.
The donation announcement followed Macklemore’s removal from the remaining US dates of Sheeran’s Loop Tour. The tour promoter said venue owners had objected to having Macklemore on the lineup, while Sheeran later said the decision to remove the rapper was made by the promoter rather than by him.
Robert Kraft Responds to Macklemore’s Challenge
Robert Kraft responded after Macklemore challenged him to match the $1 million donation.
Kraft, who owns the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, said Ed Sheeran had contacted him before Macklemore issued the public challenge and asked him to commit $2 million toward humanitarian aid in the region.
Kraft said he agreed to Sheeran’s request. Reports have therefore described planned contributions of $2 million each from Sheeran and Kraft, although details about the organizations that would receive those funds had not been publicly specified in the reports.
Kraft had previously opposed Macklemore appearing at Gillette Stadium. He cited concerns about what he described as the rapper’s history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery, while also saying that concern for Palestinians should not come at the expense of the Jewish community.
Macklemore has disputed accusations of antisemitism and has argued that his criticism is directed toward Israeli government policies and the treatment of Palestinians. Reuters reported that his removal followed objections from venues on the remaining US tour dates.
Macklemore’s Removal Sparks Further Tour Fallout
The donation is the latest development in a dispute that has affected several parts of Sheeran’s tour.
Macklemore was removed after making pro-Palestinian comments during a September performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, including a “Free Palestine” statement. The tour promoter subsequently said Macklemore would not perform on the remaining support dates.
Following his removal, several other supporting artists announced that they would no longer participate in upcoming tour dates. The artists included Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga.
Sheeran has said he wants his concerts to remain a place focused on music rather than political debate. He also said that the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the tour promoter and not by him.
The controversy has now expanded beyond the original dispute over the tour, with the competing statements from Macklemore, Kraft and Sheeran drawing attention to humanitarian donations, political expression at concerts and the role of venues and promoters in determining tour lineups.
