Robert Kraft has found himself in the middle of a music controversy. And this time, there are no footballs involved.
The New England Patriots owner has spoken out after being accused of playing a role in Macklemore being removed from Ed Sheeran’s world tour. The drama follows Macklemore’s controversial “Free Palestine” speech during a recent performance.
Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, has faced plenty of backlash over his political comments. Now, his tour plans have taken another hit.
On Monday, it was confirmed that the 43-year-old rapper would no longer continue with the show. Several major venues in the United States reportedly told tour promoters they would not allow Macklemore to perform.
The internet needed a villain. Enter Robert Kraft!
Kraft was accused of somehow orchestrating Macklemore’s removal from the tour. Apparently, owning an NFL team is not enough work. You might as well add international concert scheduling to the résumé.
The enormity of the venue bans could have forced an entire tour cancellation impacting thousands of fans. So, as a result, Macklemore was removed.
However, shortly after the decision, the ‘Thrift Shop’ hitmaker took to Instagram to break his silence on the matter and claimed that Kraft – who is an observant Orthodox Jew – was the one who put forward the ultimatum to other stadium owners.
In a lengthy Instagram post, Macklemore said: ‘Ed is my friend. I’ve known him for 13 years. I told Ed multiple times on the phone, our friendship can’t change my responsibility to tell the truth about what happened [in Gaza].
‘Ed told me that Robert Kraft called him. We were scheduled to play Gillette Stadium later this month, which is owned by the Kraft Group. Ed told me that Kraft said I would not be allowed to perform in his stadium.
‘Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues.’
The rapper continued: ‘I hope this isn’t the end of my relationship with Ed. Thirteen years of friendship doesn’t disappear because of one painful disagreement.
‘I hope we both continue listening, studying what is happening in Palestine and wrestling with what neutrality means in a moment like this. My door will always be open to continuing that conversation.’
Kraft, however, has denied causing Macklemore’s removal.
Shortly after Macklemore’s statement, Kraft issued his own response. In a statement received by The Daily Mail, the Patriots owner said: ‘Gillette 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.
‘This 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.
‘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.
‘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’.
Macklemore has lost a tour appearance. Kraft has denied pulling the strings. And the internet has once again turned a complicated situation into a detective series nobody ordered.
