Inside Robert Kraft's Role in Removing Macklemore from Ed Sheeran's US Tour

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has confirmed that he pressured pop star Ed Sheeran to drop rapper Macklemore from his American tour. The billionaire owns Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, one of the scheduled stops for Macklemore as an opening act on Sheeran’s US tour. Kraft stated that allowing Macklemore to perform at Gillette Stadium would cross a line, citing the rapper's recent performances and what he described as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery. Ed Sheeran subsequently denied personal involvement in the removal, attributing the decision to the venue and the promoter.

Robert Kraft is a Jewish American billionaire and the owner of the NFL team, the New England Patriots. Raised in Massachusetts in an observant Orthodox Jewish household, his net worth is estimated by Forbes at over $13bn. Kraft has a history of funding Jewish and Israeli causes, including the "Stand Up to Jewish Hate" campaign, and received the $1m Genesis Prize in 2019 for his philanthropic contributions. His outspoken support for Israel has included hosting prominent athletes on visits to Israeli military bases. Additionally, Kraft made headlines when his name surfaced in relation to the Epstein files following a 2019 solicitation charge that was later dropped in 2020.

The controversy surrounding Macklemore began when the rapper opened a Sheeran show at the New Jersey MetLife Stadium with a speech advocating for Palestine and mentioning various global conflicts. The remarks drew immediate backlash and a petition from the Israeli-American Council. Macklemore defended his statements, including his performance of the song "Hind’s Hall" dedicated to Hind Rajab, maintaining that advocating for the equal treatment of all humans should not be controversial. Protests and student demonstrations, such as those at Columbia University's Hamilton Hall, have similarly focused on the conflict in Gaza.

Macklemore stated on Instagram that Ed Sheeran informed him Kraft refused to allow his performance at Gillette Stadium and had rallied other venue owners to issue an ultimatum regarding the tour. While Kraft's public statements did not directly address the claim of lobbying other owners, he defended his decision to bar Macklemore from his own stadium, stating it was not meant to diminish Palestinian suffering but rather to address concerns regarding the Jewish community and the actions of Hamas. Ed Sheeran also released a statement confirming Macklemore's removal due to his pro-Palestine stance while clarifying that the final decision rested with the promoters and venues.

Kraft has previously taken action regarding pro-Palestine protests, notably suspending financial contributions to his alma mater, Columbia University, during student encampments in 2024. The Trump administration later withdrew federal funding from Columbia before it was restored following a settlement. Meanwhile, critics have pointed to apparent double standards, contrasting the ban on Macklemore with other venues hosting performers like Kanye West, who has faced heavy criticism for public antisemitic comments.