‘Deeply offensive’: Bob Kraft defends removing Macklemore from Ed Sheeran’s tour in statement

After Macklemore revealed he was dropped from Ed Sheeran’s US tour over his pro-Palestine comments, Bob Kraft has now shared a statement clapping back. The businessman orchestrated his removal from the shows and has defended his decision to do so. 

The rapper, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, was the support act for Sheeran’s Loop Tour. However, he was removed after a performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on 4th September, where he made a speech about Israel and said “Free Palestine” between songs. 

In an Instagram statement this week, Macklemore wrote: “I’m not sure how to start this. So I’m going to speak from the heart and share the truth. Ed Sheeran and his team have made the decision to remove me from The Loop tour.”

He went on to accuse businessman Bob Kraft, who owns the Gillette Stadium near Boston, where Macklemore and Ed had been due to play, of orchestrating his removal from the tour.

 

 

 

 

 

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“Last Monday, in the middle of all the media attention surrounding Pink and what I said at MetLife, Ed told me that Robert Kraft called him. We were scheduled to play Gillette Stadium later this month, which is owned by the Kraft Group. Ed told me that Kraft said I would not be allowed to perform in his stadium.” Macklemore wrote. “Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues.”

In response, Bob Kraft shared a lengthy statement with The Hollywood Reporter defending his decision to get Macklemore removed from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour, claiming his comments were “deeply offensive” towards the Jewish community. 

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“Gillette Stadium has a longstanding commitment to providing a welcoming environment for all guests and ensuring that events held at our venue do not provide a platform for hate speech. Based on Macklemore’s recent actions, material shared from the stage during Ed Sheeran’s shows in New Jersey, and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community, we determined that his participation in the September 25th and 26th concerts at Gillette Stadium would cross that line,” he said. 

Credit: SADAKA EDMOND/SIPA/Shutterstock

“This decision is not about diminishing the suffering of innocent Palestinians or denying anyone the right to advocate on their behalf. Their pain and loss are real. But that advocacy should not come at the expense of the Jewish community or obscure the responsibility of Hamas, a United States and globally (including Canada, European Union, United Kingdom, and Japan) designated terrorist organisation whose horrific actions have caused immeasurable suffering for Palestinians and Israelis alike. I agree with Macklemore. Too many lives have been lost and there has been too much suffering, but only sharing selective information and ignoring the actions of Hamas is not honest and only advances more divisiveness and hate. Over many decades, I have directed resources to Palestine and created athletic and entrepreneurial opportunities for Palestinians who I admire and respect. Standing with the Palestinian people and standing against Hamas, antisemitism and hate should not be mutually exclusive.”

The Patriots owner continued: “Much of my time and attention for the last decade has been focused on the fight against antisemitism and hate of all kinds, and I feel a responsibility to stand up when I believe that line has been crossed. I have tremendous respect for Ed and his music, particularly his unique ability to bring people together and spread joy, and I have always been proud to welcome him and his fans to Gillette Stadium. I would welcome the opportunity to sit down with Macklemore and discuss the facts, because ultimately our goal is the same – peace for all people, an end to suffering, and an end to all hate.”

Patriots owner Bob Kraft has released a statement addressing his decision to block Macklemore from performing with Ed Sheeran at Gillette Stadium, a move that ultimately led Sheeran to drop Macklemore from his tour. pic.twitter.com/ubNQ6Ovyhe

— CONSEQUENCE (@consequence) September 14, 2026

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Featured image credit: SADAKA EDMOND/SIPA/Shutterstock and Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock