Macklemore has challenged US stadium owner Robert Kraft to match his $1 million donation to Palestinian organisations following his removal from Ed Sheeran’s US tour.
The rapper announced on Wednesday that he would donate his entire $1 million in net earnings from Sheeran’s Loop Tour to six Palestinian organisations.
He said the move was intended to “bring the conversation back to where it belongs: to the Palestinian people”.
Kraft, who owns the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium near Boston, then issued a statement in response to the ongoing controversy.
In the statement, posted by Gillette Stadium on Kraft’s behalf, he said that earlier in the day Sheeran had called him and asked him to commit $2 million to match what Kraft described as Sheeran’s own donation to help address the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Statement from Robert Kraft pic.twitter.com/as3f4RUKse
— Gillette Stadium (@GilletteStadium) September 16, 2026
However, Kraft did not confirm that he has agreed to make a $2 million donation himself.
He also did not confirm where any potential donation would go.
Kraft's statement is therefore not confirmation that he is donating $2 million, despite some reports interpreting his comments as a commitment to match Sheeran.
Sheeran has not publicly confirmed the $2 million donation mentioned by Kraft or commented on any charitable donation he may be planning.
Kraft said he wanted people supporting Palestinians to know that he has “supported efforts that create opportunity for Palestinians”.
He also said he has worked to bring young Palestinians and Israelis together to create businesses, jobs and relationships.
“I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people,” Kraft said. “I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting.”
The latest statement comes days after Kraft confirmed that Macklemore would not be allowed to perform at Gillette Stadium during Sheeran’s upcoming shows.
Kraft, who is Jewish, accused Macklemore of hate speech following previous performances in which the rapper called for “free Palestine”, referred to what he described as genocide in Gaza and displayed images of the region.
Macklemore has rejected accusations of antisemitism and said criticism of Israel was not intended as criticism of Jewish people.
His removal from the tour led Sheeran’s other support acts to withdraw in solidarity, including Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe, Irish folk band Beoga, Finneas and Danish band Lukas Graham.
The artists said Macklemore’s removal raised concerns about freedom of speech.
Sheeran has said the decision was made by his promoters, Messina Touring Group, rather than by him.
The promoter said Macklemore was removed because some venues would not allow the shows to take place with him on the bill, meaning the tour could have been cancelled.
Sheeran has said he respects Macklemore’s decision to speak about what he believes in, while also saying that he does not use his own public platform for political issues.
Macklemore's $1 million donation is the amount he has personally confirmed. Any donation from Kraft, including the $2 million figure mentioned in his statement, has not been confirmed.
