A stadium owner, alleged to have influenced the removal of Macklemore as Ed Sheeran’s opening act due to pro-Palestinian remarks, is now donating $2 million to support the region. This announcement follows Macklemore’s pledge to donate $1 million to aid Palestinians and a challenge to the stadium owner, Robert Kraft, to match his donation.
While Kraft did not specify where the funds would go, he mentioned that Sheeran had requested a $2 million donation from him before Macklemore’s challenge. Kraft emphasized his longstanding support for initiatives benefiting Palestinians and fostering relationships between young Palestinians and Israelis.
Macklemore, also known as Benjamin Hammond Haggery, was dropped from the tour after expressing solidarity with Palestinians during a performance, which drew criticism from pro-Israel groups. He accused Kraft of orchestrating his removal and influencing other stadium owners to threaten concert cancellations if he remained on the bill.
In response, Sheeran defended his decision not to take a public stance on the issue and clarified that the promoter’s choice led to Macklemore’s removal, not his own. Following this, all remaining supporting acts on Sheeran’s tour quit in solidarity.
The Danish band Lukas Graham and Irish singer Aaron Rowe were set to replace Macklemore as opening acts for Sheeran’s remaining U.S. tour dates. Other artists, including Finneas and Beoga, also expressed support for Macklemore and criticized attempts to silence artists speaking out for the oppressed.
Sheeran has not commented since the supporting acts left the tour, and neither he nor the tour promoter has responded to requests for further comment.
