Rapper Macklemore has announced he will donate $1 million in net earnings from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour to six organizations supporting Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. The pledge follows the artist’s removal from the North American tour after he voiced pro-Palestinian remarks during performances at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on September 4 and 5.
Macklemore Pledges $1 Million in Tour Earnings to Palestinian Aid
In a five-panel Instagram statement, Macklemore, whose legal name is Benjamin Haggerty, stated he wanted to bring the conversation back to where it belongs
regarding Palestinians who are still being killed, still living under military occupation, and still fighting for their freedom
. While acknowledging that writing a check is one of the least costly forms of solidarity available to me
, he argued that humanitarian aid alone cannot address the manmade injustice and political conditions of the crisis.
The identified recipient organizations are:
- Palestine Children’s Relief Fund
- HEAL Palestine
- Gaza Soup Kitchen
- Medical Aid for Palestinians
- UNRWA USA National Committee
- American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera)
Tour Fallout and Artist Solidarity
The controversy began after Macklemore wore a keffiyeh, displayed images from Gaza, and told the MetLife Stadium crowd Free Palestine
while introducing his song Hind’s Hall
. According to reports, the Israeli-American Council launched a petition for his removal following these actions.
Ed Sheeran stated on Instagram that the decision to remove Macklemore was made by promoters after venue owners indicated they would withdraw shows if the rapper remained on the bill. Sheeran maintained that he keeps his professional platform largely apolitical to ensure his shows remain spaces where audiences can come together.
The removal triggered a mass exodus of the tour’s supporting lineup. Every remaining support act withdrew in solidarity with Macklemore and in opposition to silencing artists speaking about Palestine. Those who exited include:
- Finneas, who canceled six South American appearances
- Lukas Graham
- Aaron Rowe
- Beoga, Sheeran’s touring band
As the Loop Tour prepared to resume on September 19 in Philadelphia, fans took to social media to demand refunds from Ticketmaster, questioning the value of tickets purchased when Macklemore was still listed in the lineup.
Conflict with Robert Kraft and Additional Pledges
Macklemore publicly challenged Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, to match his $1 million donation. Macklemore had previously accused Kraft of conspiring with other stadium owners to have him blackballed from the tour.
Kraft responded via the Gillette Stadium account, stating he intervened to prevent the stadium from becoming a platform for hate speech
and citing a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery
regarding Macklemore, a claim the rapper rejected.
Despite the friction, Kraft revealed that Ed Sheeran had contacted him to request a $2 million commitment toward humanitarian aid in the region. Kraft confirmed he would contribute $2 million, and Sheeran also pledged $2 million, bringing their combined total to $4 million. Unlike Macklemore, neither Sheeran nor Kraft has publicly identified the specific organizations that will receive their funds.
Broad Public Response
The dispute has drawn support for Macklemore from a variety of public figures and artists, including Colin Kaepernick, Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Lewis Hamilton, Roger Waters, and Greta Thunberg. Responses from these figures have ranged from messages of solidarity with Palestine to criticism of the decision to remove the rapper from the tour.
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