st Sheeran's tour threatened to pull the shows because they didn't want the rapper's political speeches at their venues.

Tour promoter Messina Touring Group reassured the group of owners that Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, wouldn't share any anti-Israel messages during the second night at MetLife.

5 Macklemore wears a keffiyeh during his opener at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 4, 2026. Alec Gearty

5 Macklemore was dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour over his  free Palestine  rant.

The rapper didn't follow the orders and continued, with footage of Gaza and anti-Israel protests displayed on screens behind him onstage.

 Free Palestine. I want those words to be clear so that people from Gaza to the occupied West Bank know that we have not forgotten them. This next song was inspired by the bravery of the Columbia University students, who led an encampment movement that mobilized the entire world, opening up hearts - myself included,  Macklemore said.

Macklemore was dropped from the remainder of the tour after the stadium owners, led by Kraft, threatened to drop Sheeran's concerts.

Sheeran's Gillette shows were later canceled due to bad weather.

Kraft and Sheeran, who have a long-standing relationship, spoke about the troubling rapper and agreed to donate money to Palestinian relief efforts.

 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,  Kraft said in a statement back in September.  Ed now plans to reach out to other venue owners and our goal is to continue to work together to build bridges.