The Ed Sheeran-Macklemore tour dispute has gained another participant, with billionaire stadium owner Robert Kraft saying Sheeran asked him to donate $2 million in aid. The claim comes after Macklemore was removed from the Loop Tour on Monday, prompting several support acts to quit and raising uncomfortable questions about politics, free speech and who really controls a stadium bill.

Sheeran has insisted that Macklemore’s removal was not his decision. He said the call came from promoter Messina Touring Group, which argued that some venues would refuse to host the concerts if the rapper remained on the lineup.

One of those venues was reportedly Gillette Stadium, which is owned by Kraft. According to the promoter, keeping Macklemore on the bill could therefore have forced the entire tour to be cancelled. Stadium logistics have rarely looked so much like a foreign policy meeting.

Why was Macklemore removed from the tour?

The dispute centres on Macklemore’s outspoken support for Palestinians and his criticism of Israel’s actions. Kraft has accused the Grammy-winning rapper of having “a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric”, an allegation Macklemore denies.

Kraft has also argued that Macklemore shares selective information while overlooking the actions of Hamas. The rapper, meanwhile, claims Kraft encouraged other stadium owners to bar him from their venues.

In a statement issued on Kraft’s behalf by Gillette Stadium, the Kraft Group owner did not address whether he had contacted other venue operators about banning Macklemore. He instead stressed his record of supporting projects intended to create opportunities for Palestinians.

Kraft said he had worked to bring young Palestinians and Israelis together so they could build businesses, create jobs and form relationships.

“I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people,” he said. “I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting.”

Kraft, whose business interests include sports and event management, also said he wanted people advocating for Palestinians to know that he had supported relevant initiatives. His latest response did not settle the central disagreement, but it did add a charitable donation claim to an argument already crowded with promoters, performers and stadium owners.

What has Ed Sheeran said about the backlash?

Sheeran responded on Tuesday, saying he respected “Macklemore’s strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes”. He added that although he does not generally use his platform to discuss politics, that “doesn’t mean I don’t care” or that he does not “support causes in my own, personal way”.

The singer also said he did not want to disappoint fans or crew members by cancelling the tour. Its next scheduled concert is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Saturday.

Some musicians, including Billy Bragg, have urged Sheeran to abandon the remaining dates. Doing that could expose Sheeran and the promoters to substantial costs involving venue contracts, production expenses and ticket refunds. Moral clarity is one thing; a fully booked stadium tour comes with invoices.

Sheeran can perform alone if necessary, although his show may need to be rearranged. Irish folk group Beoga had accompanied him on several songs before leaving the tour in protest.

Sheeran and Kraft also have a personal connection. The singer performed at Kraft’s wedding in 2022, which has fuelled criticism that he accepted the stadium owner’s position too readily.

Which supporting acts have withdrawn?

Macklemore’s removal triggered a wider revolt among the tour’s supporting artists. Those who have pulled out in solidarity include:

  • Finneas, the musician and producer who is also Billie Eilish’s brother
  • Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe
  • Danish band Lukas Graham
  • Irish folk band Beoga

The departing artists argued that removing Macklemore created a chilling effect on free expression. Their exits leave Sheeran with a thinner lineup, but not without a workable show.

Macklemore announced on Wednesday that he would donate the full $1 million in net earnings he expected from the Loop Tour to six Palestinian organisations. He said the pledge was intended “to bring the conversation back to where it belongs: to the Palestinian people”.

“This is a manmade injustice, and I believe it requires immediate political change,” Macklemore wrote on social media.

The donation announcement shifted attention back toward humanitarian support, at least briefly. The dispute over who removed him, which venues objected and whether political speech should determine access to a concert stage remains unresolved.