Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has weighed in on the controversy surrounding Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour, pointing directly at Patriots owner Robert Kraft as the man behind the censorship.
She argued that the removal is not just about one act or one tour, but about how a small group of stadium owners can shape public discourse across the country. Ocasio-Cortez framed the move as evidence that a handful of wealthy people control what gets said in stadiums.
Macklemore’s Speech at MetLife
The saga began in early September when Seattle artist Macklemore joined Sheeran’s Loop Tour for two shows at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. During the first gig, Macklemore spoke out in support of Palestinians amid Israel’s war in Gaza.
He shouted “Free Palestine,” stood in solidarity with people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, showed images on screens of the destruction caused by the war, and performed his protest song “Hind’s Hall,” about pro-Palestinian demonstrators at Columbia University.
The backlash was immediate. Pro-Israel groups denounced Macklemore, with the Israeli American Council launching a petition demanding Sheeran drop him from the rest of the tour.
Kraft’s Ultimatum
On Monday, Macklemore claimed he was dropped after Sheeran was pressured by Kraft ahead of the singer’s upcoming show at Massachusetts’s Gillette Stadium, which is owned by the Kraft Group.
“Ed told me that Kraft said I would not be allowed to perform in his stadium,” Macklemore wrote. “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.”
Kraft confirmed the decision in his own statement, saying it was based on “material shared from the stage during Ed Sheeran’s shows in New Jersey, and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.” He did not address the claim that he also “rallied” other stadium owners to launch a pressure campaign against Macklemore.
Artists Withdraw From the Tour
Following the announcement of Macklemore’s removal, all artists supporting Sheeran on the tour withdrew. The list includes Finneas, Lukas Graham, and Aaron Rowe.
“It’s hard to watch families in other parts of the world burying the people they love. We should be able to speak about war, about civilians being killed, about children who deserve to grow up. Wherever they live. Whatever flag flies over them,” Graham wrote in a statement shared to Instagram. “Money doesn’t give you the right to own the conversation. Nobody’s bank balance should decide who gets to speak or which suffering we’re allowed to acknowledge.”
Ocasio-Cortez’s Focus on Kraft
When asked if Sheeran held responsibility, Ocasio-Cortez said that while everyone plays a role, the focus should be on Kraft and “the actual people who are who are kind of twisting things here.” She added, “We need to be very clear about how dangerous a precedent this.”
Timeline of Events
| Event | Location |
|---|---|
| Macklemore’s first show | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey |
| Sheeran’s Gillette Stadium show | Gillette Stadium, Massachusetts |
The controversy raises questions about free speech, corporate power, and the role of stadium owners in shaping public discourse.
Key Facts
- Macklemore joined Sheeran’s Loop Tour in early September for two shows at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey
- Pro-Israel groups launched a petition demanding Sheeran drop Macklemore from the tour
- Kraft confirmed he barred Macklemore from performing at Gillette Stadium
- All supporting acts — Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe — withdrew from the tour after Macklemore’s removal
- Ocasio-Cortez pointed to Kraft lining up stadiums to censor speech as evidence of elite control over discourse
The pattern of censorship is now established. Whether it continues depends on how stadium owners respond to pressure in the future.
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