Robert Kraft pledges $2M for humanitarian aid as Macklemore faces fallout over venue ban
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft responded to Macklemore’s boot from Ed Sheeran’s tour, confirming a $2 million commitment to humanitarian relief while defending his refusal to host the rapper at Gillette Stadium.
Promoters dumped Macklemore from Ed Sheeran’s "Loop Tour" following his anti-Israel tirades in New Jersey. The rapper tried to salvage the fallout by pledging his $1 million earnings to Palestinian aid while attempting to put Robert Kraft on the hook to match him.
On Wednesday, Gillette Stadium’s social media account released a statement from Kraft revealing he had already pledged $2 million after Sheeran personally reached out. Kraft pointed to his long-standing humanitarian work in the Middle East.
ROBERT KRAFT, GILLETTE STADIUM BOOT MACKLEMORE FROM ED SHEERAN TOUR OVER ‘FREE PALESTINE’ RANT
"I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people. I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting," Kraft said in the statement.
"Earlier today, before Macklemore challenged me to match his donation, Ed called me and asked me to commit $2 million to match his donation to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis. Ed now plans to reach out to other venue owners and our goal is to continue to work together to build bridges."
MACKLEMORE DOUBLES DOWN AFTER GETTING KICKED OFF ED SHEERAN TOUR AFTER PRO-PALESTINE STANCE
Kraft added: "In addition, I'd like the people who are speaking in support of the Palestinian people to know that for decades, I have supported efforts that create opportunity for Palestinians and have brought young Palestinians and Israelis together to build businesses, create jobs, and forge relationships."
The dispute took shape during Sheeran’s Sept. 4 and 5 concerts at MetLife Stadium, where Macklemore led anti-Israel chants and performed his protest track "Hind’s Hall."
Promoters and venue owners cut him from upcoming shows shortly afterward.
Macklemore then accused Kraft of leading a stadium boycott against him.
MICHAEL RAPAPORT CHEERS MACKLEMORE GETTING DROPPED FROM ED SHEERAN'S TOUR, SAYS 'F--- YOU'
Kraft pushed back, saying he refused to host Macklemore because of the rapper’s track record of antisemitic rhetoric and tropes. He also emphasized that Macklemore was ignoring the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, which killed 1,200 people, while pushing select narratives.
Macklemore’s past helps explain why venue owners have drawn the line.
In 2014, he faced fierce backlash after performing in Seattle wearing a dark suit, wig, fake beard and oversized prosthetic nose, an outfit widely slammed as a grotesque Hasidic Jewish stereotype.
THE CRAIG CARTON SHOW–UNFILTERED, UNAPOLOGETIC AND UNMISSABLE. DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW!
Pop star Pink recently slammed Macklemore’s onstage rants, arguing that artists do not get to tell Jewish fans what should or should not offend them.
Macklemore’s exit triggered a domino effect across Sheeran’s tour. Sheeran clarified that stadium owners and promoters made the call, adding that he tried to mediate before venue owners refused to host Macklemore.
Multiple opening acts, including Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Irish band Beoga, pulled out of remaining U.S. dates in protest.
Progressive lawmakers quickly leaped to Macklemore’s defense.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., claimed stadium owners were silencing speech to protect elite interests and called the war in Gaza a "genocide."
Here is the basic constitutional reality that AOC and the outrage brigade conveniently ignore: Private venue owners have zero obligation to host speech they oppose on their own property.
The truth is, Robert Kraft is under no obligation to finance or host rhetoric that attacks his community on his own stage.
Kraft’s $2 million donation delivers actual humanitarian relief to people in need, while Macklemore relies on cheap grandstanding
Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela