Robert Kraft says Ed Sheeran asked him to match $2M Palestine donation

Céline Navarro. (2026, September 17). Robert Kraft says Ed Sheeran asked him to match $2M Palestine donation. Dateline Wire. https://www.datelinewire.com/entertainment/ed-sheeran-kraft-palestine-donation/

@article{datelinewire543,
  author  = "Céline Navarro",\n  title   = "Robert Kraft says Ed Sheeran asked him to match $2M Palestine donation",\n  journal = "Dateline Wire",\n  year    = 2026,\n  url     = "https://www.datelinewire.com/entertainment/ed-sheeran-kraft-palestine-donation/"\n}

[Robert Kraft says Ed Sheeran asked him to match $2M Palestine donation](https://www.datelinewire.com/entertainment/ed-sheeran-kraft-palestine-donation/) — *Dateline Wire* (2026). Corroborated multi-source report.

Ed Sheeran’s Tour Crisis Deepens as Radio Stations Drop His Music

The ongoing controversy surrounding Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour has escalated, with Irish radio stations removing his music and multiple support acts withdrawing in solidarity with Macklemore, the rapper whose pro-Palestinian remarks led to his exit from the tour. The fallout has also brought attention to a surprising development: Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of Gillette Stadium, claiming that Sheeran personally asked him to match a $2 million donation to Palestine. The dispute began after Macklemore delivered a politically charged speech during his opening set at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4 and 5. In his address, the rapper reportedly told fans in Gaza and the West Bank that they “had not been forgotten.” This led to his removal from the tour, as several venues reportedly objected to his continued involvement. Macklemore later announced he would donate his $1 million in net earnings from the tour to six Palestinian-focused organizations, calling on Kraft to match the contribution.

Detail	Information
Macklemore’s Donation	$1 million from his net earnings from the Loop Tour to Palestinian organizations
Kraft’s Claimed Donation	Ed Sheeran allegedly asked Kraft to commit $2 million to match Macklemore’s donation
Irish Radio Action	Classic Hits Radio removed Sheeran’s music for the “foreseeable future”
Artist Withdrawals	Aaron Rowe, Finneas, Lukas Graham, and Beoga all left the tour, citing support for Macklemore

Kraft, who owns Gillette Stadium, responded to the controversy with a statement emphasizing his long-standing support for Palestinian-Israeli dialogue. However, he also denied the removal of Macklemore was solely tied to his pro-Palestinian advocacy. “The decision to block Macklemore was not solely related to his advocacy for Palestinians,” Kraft said, citing a “broader history of anti-Semitic rhetoric and imagery” linked to the rapper. Sheeran, meanwhile, maintained that the decision to drop Macklemore was made by the tour’s promoter, not himself. In an Instagram post, he reiterated his stance of avoiding public political commentary, stating, “I am not complicit. I have my personal views on this devastating conflict. Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn’t mean I don’t have them.” He also criticized the “hypocrisy” of venues that canceled the tour while hosting other artists with controversial pasts, such as Kanye West.

Radio Stations and Artists Condemn Sheeran’s Decision

The backlash intensified when Dublin-based radio station Classic Hits Radio announced it would remove Sheeran’s music from its playlist “for the foreseeable future.” Dave Kelly, the station’s group programme director, explained the decision as a response to listener complaints and the withdrawals of Irish artists from the tour. “As an independent Irish-owned radio station, we believe it is important to listen to our audience and to stand alongside Irish artists who have made what is undoubtedly a significant professional decision based on their own convictions,” Kelly said. Aaron Rowe, an Irish musician and former support act for Sheeran, was among the most vocal critics. In a statement, he condemned the “billionaires” who “use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up.” Beoga, another Irish band, echoed this sentiment, stating that playing in venues that “silence anyone advocating for a Free Palestine is simply not an option for us.” The controversy also drew attention from global activists. Greta Thunberg, a prominent pro-Palestine advocate, criticized Sheeran’s actions, calling the situation “one of the biggest artists in the world being cancelled because they tried to ‘both sides’ Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people.”

Kraft’s Role and the Unanswered Questions

Kraft’s claim that Sheeran had asked him to match the $2 million donation has added another layer to the controversy. While the statement was shared by multiple outlets, the specific organizations receiving the funds remain unclear. Kraft also highlighted his decades-long efforts to foster Palestinian-Israeli collaboration, including programs that brought young Palestinians and Israelis together to build businesses and create jobs. However, the timing of Sheeran’s alleged request—before Macklemore publicly challenged Kraft—has raised questions. Macklemore’s initial donation announcement came after his removal from the tour, yet Kraft’s statement suggests Sheeran had already approached him about matching the contribution. This has led to speculation about the extent of Sheeran’s involvement in the decision to drop Macklemore. The situation remains unresolved, with Sheeran’s next performance scheduled for September 19 in Philadelphia. The tour’s future hangs in the balance, as more artists consider their positions on the conflict. Meanwhile, the debate over free speech, corporate responsibility, and the role of celebrities in political issues continues to unfold.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the source of the claim that Ed Sheeran asked Robert Kraft to match a $2 million donation?

The claim originates from a statement by Robert Kraft, who said Ed Sheeran contacted him before Macklemore’s public challenge to match the rapper’s $1 million donation to Palestinian organizations. Kraft’s statement was reported by multiple outlets, including the Daily Mail and The Blast.

Why did Irish radio station Classic Hits Radio remove Ed Sheeran’s music?

The station cited listener complaints and the withdrawals of Irish artists from Sheeran’s tour as reasons for the decision. Dave Kelly, the station’s programme director, stated the move was intended to “stand alongside Irish artists who have made a significant professional decision based on their own convictions.”

What role did Macklemore’s past controversies play in his removal from the tour?

Kraft cited a “broader history of anti-Semitic rhetoric and imagery” linked to Macklemore as a reason for his removal. This includes a 2014 performance where the rapper wore a costume criticized as resembling an anti-Semitic stereotype. However, Macklemore has denied any malicious intent and claimed the image was a misinterpretation.

The next critical development will likely involve the outcome of Sheeran’s planned $2 million contribution and how it is perceived by activists and the public. With the tour’s remaining dates under scrutiny and ongoing debates over political advocacy in entertainment, the situation remains a focal point for cultural and ethical discussions.