Kraft Pulls The Rug Out From Under Antisemitic Rapper Macklemore With $2M Move

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has responded to Macklemore being axed from Ed Sheeran’s tour by pledging $2 million to humanitarian relief efforts.

Kraft has been a key figure in the controversy as the “Thrift Store” rapper blamed the NFL owner for getting him thrown off the tour by allegedly refusing to let him play at Gillette Stadium.

“I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people. I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting,” Kraft said in the statement shared on the official Gillette Stadium social media page Tuesday evening. 

“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. Ed now plans to reach out to other venue owners and our goal is to continue to work together to build bridges.”

The statement went on, “In addition, I’d like the people who are speaking in support of the Palestinian people to know that for decades, I have supported efforts that create opportunity for Palestinians and have brought young Palestinians and Israelis together to build businesses, create jobs, and forge relationships.”

This move came after the rapper said he would donate $1 million to a Palestinian organization and challenged the billionaire to match the number.

Macklemore’s anti-Israel rants on stage led to a wave of backlash, and the rapper was ultimately removed from Sheeran’s tour.

While performing as Sheeran’s opener, Macklemore told fans at one concert, “A big part of the reason why I wanted to do this tour in the first place is so I could stand up in stadiums like this and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: ‘Free Palestine.’”

After being axed, the rapper responded by claiming that Kraft — who is Jewish — was behind a concerted effort to get him removed from the tour.

“We were scheduled to play Gillette Stadium later this month, which is owned by the Kraft Group,” Macklemore wrote. “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.”

Messina Touring Group, which is promoting the tour, confirmed that multiple venues had said they would “not allow a concert to take place with Macklemore on the lineup.” The company said Macklemore was dropped after “discussions with stakeholders.”

Kraft confirmed that Gillette Stadium had refused to host Macklemore but said the decision was based on what he described as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric.

“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,” Kraft said in a statement at the time.

“This decision is not about diminishing the suffering of innocent Palestinians or denying anyone the right to advocate on their behalf,” Kraft continued. “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.”

Kraft said Macklemore had presented selective information and ignored Hamas’ role in causing suffering among Israelis and Palestinians. He also offered to meet with the rapper to discuss the situation.

“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.”

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