Macklemore Donates $1M Tour Earnings to Palestine Aid

Macklemore is donating $1 million of his net earnings from Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour to organizations supporting Palestinian aid. The rapper announced the pledge after being removed as an opening act on the tour's U.S. leg last week for saying "free Palestine" onstage in New Jersey.

The funds will be split among groups including HEAL Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, American Near East Refugee Aid, Medical Aid for Palestinians, and the UNRWA U.S.A. National Committee. In a statement, Macklemore emphasized his focus on "the Palestinian people who are still being killed, still living under military occupation, and still fighting for their freedom."

Macklemore accused New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft of pressuring Sheeran to drop him by threatening to pull the tour's dates at the venue. Kraft confirmed his involvement to NBC News, stating that Macklemore's stage actions and a "broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery" crossed a line, leading to the determination that the rapper could not participate in the September 25 and 26 concerts at Gillette Stadium.

Sheeran released a statement claiming the removal was solely the promoter's decision. He noted that while he has personal views on the conflict, he chooses not to speak publicly and is "not complicit" in the decision.

Macklemore publicly invited Kraft to match his $1 million donation, stating, "Whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives are worth protecting." Kraft responded that prior to Macklemore's challenge, Sheeran had already asked Kraft to commit $2 million to match his own donation for humanitarian aid in the region. Kraft agreed to the $2 million pledge, and Sheeran plans to reach out to other venue owners for further collaboration.

The fallout from Macklemore's removal has significantly impacted the Loop tour. The remaining three opening acts—Finneas, Lukas Graham, and Aaron Rowe—along with Sheeran’s backing band, Beoga, have all pulled out in solidarity. Additionally, the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) has called on Sheeran to cancel the tour completely.