- New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft held a 40-minute phone call with Ed Sheeran to demand that rapper Macklemore be removed from Sheeran's tour following onstage pro-Palestinian remarks.
- Kraft stated that multiple NFL venue owners agreed to block Macklemore from performing at their stadiums, characterizing the rapper's comments as hate speech.
- Macklemore was dropped from the tour after the ultimatum, sparking widespread backlash, planned protests, and the departure of all four of Sheeran's other supporting acts in solidarity.
- Sheeran said he had no choice but to remove Macklemore, while Macklemore criticized Sheeran's apolitical stance and pledged to donate $1 million in tour earnings to Palestinian support groups.
- Kraft subsequently announced that he and Sheeran plan to match donations with a $2 million pledge for humanitarian aid in the region.
IN FULL
What Robert Kraft told Ed Sheeran in 40-min call that saw Macklemore dropped from tour
