Robert Kraft has pledged $2 million toward humanitarian relief amid the controversy surrounding Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran’s tour.
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Kraft said Sheeran had called him earlier Wednesday and asked him to commit $2 million, before rapper Macklemore publicly challenged Kraft to match his $1 million donation.
Robert Kraft pledges $2 million donation
What they’re saying:
In a statement released on the Gillette Stadium X account, Kraft, the billionaire owner of the New England Patriots, said, “I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people. I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting. 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.”
He 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.”
CEO of the New England Patriots Robert Kraft attends the Super Bowl LIII Pregame at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Earlier on Wednesday, Macklemore announced he would be donating $1 million in net earnings he received from performing on Sheeran’s tour to organizations that support the Palestinian people. He also invited Kraft to match his donation.
“Whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives are worth protecting. A Palestinian life is no less valuable than another life on this earth,” Macklemore wrote.
Macklemore removed from Ed Sheeran’s tour
The backstory:
On Monday, it was announced that Macklemore had been dropped from the remainder of Sheeran’s tour following backlash over pro-Palestine remarks the rapper made during a recent opening performance.
The Seattle rapper shared the news Monday morning in a statement posted to his Instagram, revealing that Sheeran’s team made the decision to remove him from the lineup after venue owners allegedly threatened to pull the plug on future tour stops.
During a performance at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 4, Macklemore addressed the audience regarding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Macklemore repeatedly chanted “Free Palestine” while a slideshow played on the screen behind him, showing footage from the war in Gaza, FOX News Digital reported.
RELATED: Macklemore removed from Ed Sheeran’s tour after ‘free Palestine’ speech
Rolling Stone reported the remarks drew swift backlash from critics, including an Israeli-American organization that launched a petition demanding his removal from the tour.
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According to Macklemore, Sheeran contacted him to explain that Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, stated Macklemore would not be permitted to perform at his venue. Macklemore alleged that Kraft rallied other stadium owners to issue an ultimatum to Sheeran’s team: drop Macklemore from the lineup or lose the ability to perform at their venues.
Despite losing the tour slot, Macklemore emphasized in his statement that his long-standing friendship with Sheeran remained intact, though they fundamentally disagree on the approach to the situation. The rapper noted that taking a stand has cost him financial opportunities, brand deals, and performance access, but described speaking out as a duty.
In a multi-slide statement posted to Instagram, Macklemore reflected on his removal from the tour and his relationship with Sheeran:
“Ed is my friend. I’ve known him for 13 years,” Macklemore wrote. “Nothing I’m writing here is out of spite or because I want to tear down his character. But as I told Ed multiple times on the phone, our friendship can’t change my responsibility to tell the truth about what happened.”
Addressing the venue owners’ response and the pressure placed on the tour, he added:
“Taking a side can cost you. Money, brand deals, sponsorships, festivals, private shows, relationships and access. I’ve lost all of those things. But there is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed.”
Then on Tuesday, four acts withdrew from Sheeran’s tour in solidarity with the Macklemore.
Irish acts Aaron Rowe and Beoga, the Danish band Lukas Graham, and Finneas posted on Instagram that they were leaving the Loop Tour.
Media reports said Rowe and Lukas Graham would have been replacements for Macklemore on Sheeran’s remaining U.S. dates, while Beoga had been performing several songs – including some the Irish folk band co-wrote – with Sheeran around the middle of each set. Finneas, who is Billie Eilish’s brother and musical collaborator, was due to tour with Sheeran in South America later this year.
Sheeran said the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the tour’s promoters and venue owners, not by him, and said he had tried to mediate the dispute.
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