Patriots' Kraft on Macklemore: Won't provide platform for 'hate speech'

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  Mike ReissSep 14, 2026, 06:22 PM ET

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  Mike Reiss is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the New England Patriots. Reiss has covered the Patriots since 1997 and joined ESPN in 2009. In 2019, he was named Massachusetts Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who also owns Gillette Stadium, said Monday that he had rapper Macklemore removed as an opening act for singer Ed Sheeran's shows at the venue later this month because the 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," Kraft said in a statement shared with ESPN.

During shows at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 4 and 5, Macklemore shared pro-Palestinian views about the war in Gaza while on stage. He advocated for Palestinian freedom and performed his protest song against the war, "Hind's Hall," which in part describes Israel's actions in the region as "genocide."

After Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel from the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and abducting 251 others, Israel launched a retaliatory offensive that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians. The country has vehemently rejected the accusation of genocide from a growing chorus of organizations and experts.

Macklemore, 43, said on social media Monday that Sheeran informed him Kraft wouldn't allow Macklemore to perform at Gillette. Macklemore also said Sheeran told him that Kraft rallied other stadium owners to make the same decision and that he was subsequently dropped from the tour.

The 85-year-old Kraft, who is Jewish, said his 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," Kraft said his statement. "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 organization 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."

Macklemore said earlier this month in New Jersey that his criticism was not of Jewish people.

"To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters, criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide, it in no way is criticism of you," he said. "This message is for peace, love, for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect, and equality."

Kraft, who created the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism in 2019 that was later renamed the Blue Square Alliance Against Hate, also said Monday:

"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."

Sheeran's tour is scheduled to appear in venues including Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia; Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia; Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis; Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina; AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas; and Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

The promoter, Messina Touring Group, confirmed in a statement to Rolling Stone that it had been notified by venues that "they will not allow a concert to take place with Macklemore on the lineup, which would result in the cancellation of the tour and impact hundreds of thousands of fans."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.