BS BULLETIN:
- We reported last week that Macklemore used two Ed Sheeran shows at MetLife Stadium to deliver his “Free Palestine” message, accuse Israel of genocide and apartheid, and call ICE a “terrorist organization.”
- The backlash quickly produced calls to remove Macklemore from the remaining tour dates.
- Now it’s happened: Sheeran’s U.S. tour promoter says multiple upcoming venues refused to host shows with Macklemore on the lineup.
Well, we have our answer.
Last week, The Daily BS reported on the uproar after Macklemore used his opening sets for Ed Sheeran at MetLife Stadium to deliver an extended political message about Israel and Gaza.
And then he came back the next night and did it again.
Here we go again – despite massive backlash surrounding Macklemore opening for @edsheeran, a repeat occurred a few moments ago at @MetLifeStadium in New Jersey.
Jewish patrons should not be subjected to this propaganda. pic.twitter.com/dRvFkHWA2T
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) September 6, 2026
At the time, the Israeli-American Council was calling for Macklemore to be removed from the remaining dates, and our story ended with a pretty straightforward question: “Which means the question now isn’t what Macklemore plans to say. It’s whether Ed Sheeran plans to keep handing him the microphone.”
Apparently not.
Macklemore has now been dropped from the remaining dates he was scheduled to perform on Sheeran’s U.S. Loop Tour after multiple venues reportedly told the tour promoter they would not host a concert with him on the bill.
Messina Touring Group confirmed the decision to Rolling Stone.
“As the concert promoter for Ed Sheeran’s U.S. Loop Tour, we have been notified by venues on the upcoming U.S. tour dates that they will not allow a concert to take place with Macklemore on the lineup, which would result in the cancellation of the tour and impact hundreds of thousands of fans,” the promoter said. “After discussions with stakeholders, Macklemore will not be performing on the remaining support dates.”
And this wasn’t one unhappy venue.
According to Rolling Stone and the New York Post, venues objecting to Macklemore’s participation included Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, AT&T Stadium in Arlington and Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
Macklemore had been scheduled to perform at eight of Sheeran’s 10 remaining U.S. shows.
The controversy began during Sheeran’s Sept. 4 and 5 MetLife Stadium concerts. Macklemore told the audience that a major reason he wanted to join the tour was so he could stand inside stadiums and say “Free Palestine.” He accused Israel of genocide and apartheid, performed his protest song “Hind’s Hall” with images from Gaza displayed behind him, and also called ICE a “terrorist organization.”
The Israeli-American Council subsequently launched a petition demanding that Sheeran and tour organizers remove Macklemore.
Macklemore didn’t retreat. He defended his message afterward, saying his criticism of Israel was not criticism of Jewish people and that his message was one of “peace” and equal treatment.
But ultimately it wasn’t an online petition that settled the matter. It was the stadiums.
UPDATE: Macklemore breaks silence — and points at Robert Kraft
Macklemore has now broken his silence about being booted from Ed Sheeran’s tour, and he says New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft was behind the initial pressure.
In a lengthy statement Monday, Macklemore claimed Sheeran personally told him that Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium, had called and said Macklemore would not be permitted to perform there.
“Ed told me Robert Kraft called him,” Macklemore wrote.
According to Macklemore, Kraft then contacted other stadium owners, ultimately leaving Sheeran facing a choice between removing Macklemore or potentially losing venues.
That specific allegation about Kraft has not been independently confirmed.
Macklemore said he and Sheeran had several difficult phone conversations before the decision and described Sheeran, whom he has known for 13 years, as a “brother.”
But he isn’t backing away from the remarks that started the controversy.
Macklemore said that if losing the tour dates brought additional attention to Palestinians, then he considered the tour a success.
So now we have another twist: Macklemore isn’t merely defending what he said.
He’s naming the billionaire he claims helped get him bounced.
DBS WIRE SOURCES:
- The Daily BS — Macklemore hijacks Ed Sheeran shows with anti-Israel, ‘terrorist ICE’ message — TWICE
- New York Post — Macklemore yanked off Ed Sheeran’s tour after venues object
- Rolling Stone — Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran tour
- Hollywood Reporter — Macklemore dropped after pro-Palestine comments
- Los Angeles Times — Macklemore defended his ‘Free Palestine’ statements
