Ed Sheeran is facing mounting political criticism from New Jersey folks, and more, after Macklemore was removed from the remaining dates of the British singer’s US tour following his pro-Palestine speech, which was causing massive issues and controversy at every stop.
Macklemore delivered the original remarks while opening for Sheeran at MetLife Stadium on September 4. The rapper told concertgoers that Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank had not been forgotten before declaring, “Free Palestine.” He stood by his words, and Macklemore did not apologize as the tour continued, despite the public outcry.
According to The Guardian, the Messina Touring Group, which promotes the American leg of Sheeran’s Loop Tour, said multiple venues refused to host concerts featuring Macklemore after his outburst in New Jersey. Continuing with him could therefore have threatened the remaining shows and affected hundreds of thousands of ticket holders.
Macklemore later claimed Sheeran faced pressure from stadium owners allegedly organized by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. Although Macklemore acknowledged that his longtime friend was placed in a difficult position, he refused to soften his message. He said the following in a post, which went viral.
If those words cost me the stage, while turning the conversation back to Palestine, then it was the most successful tour I’ve ever been on.
New Jersey Reacts to Ed Sheeran’s Silence
That explanation did little to protect Sheeran from critics. Commenters argued that remaining publicly apolitical while allowing Macklemore’s removal was itself a political decision.
“Not taking sides is also taking sides, Ed,” one person wrote.
Another commenter was even more direct: “It’s almost as if there is no such thing as being apolitical.”
Other folks celebrated Macklemore’s response in defiance of Sheeran’s silence. One wrote, “He’s going to end up on the right side of history, meanwhile… Ed, Kraft and those clowns will not.” Another declared, “Ed Sheeran has been awfully silent on this. What a coward.”
Sheeran had not publicly responded to requests for comment when the removal was reported.
However, that distinction has not satisfied critics who believe a performer with Sheeran’s influence could have challenged the ultimatum. To them, protecting the tour while Macklemore lost his platform represented a choice, regardless of whether Sheeran ever publicly called it one.
