In a surprising turn of events during the Ed Sheeran stadium tour, rapper Macklemore announced that he will donate his full net earnings of $1 million to six groups that support the Palestinian people. The announcement came on Wednesday and was accompanied by an invitation to New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft to match the contribution.
Statements from the donors
“Whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives are worth supporting,” Macklemore wrote in his statement. He added that writing a check is “one of the least costly forms of solidarity available to me.”
Robert Kraft responded with a statement emphasizing his long‑standing commitment to humanitarian work. “I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people,” Kraft said. “I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting.” He noted that for decades he has supported efforts that create opportunities for Palestinians and has helped bring young Palestinians and Israelis together to build businesses, create jobs, and forge relationships.
Background to the tour dispute
The donations follow a recent dispute on the tour. Kraft, who owns the stadium where the concert was staged, used his ownership role to remove Macklemore from the lineup, accusing him of a “history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery” and expressing concern over “material shared from the stage.” Macklemore had previously made speeches in support of Palestine during the tour. After his removal, other opening acts also resigned.
Kraft said that Ed Sheeran himself had asked him to commit $2 million “to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis.” While Kraft’s statement did not confirm an additional donation at this time, it reiterated a shared goal among Sheeran, Kraft, and other stadium owners to continue working together to build bridges.
Tour continues
Despite the controversy, the Ed Sheeran tour will proceed as scheduled, with the next stop set for Philadelphia this weekend. Tickets remain available for fans who wish to attend.
The story highlights how high‑profile entertainers and business leaders are turning personal disagreements into collaborative humanitarian efforts, underscoring a broader trend of private philanthropy addressing international crises.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
