The Aporia · Ed Sheeran suffers major blow as Macklemore controversy rages on

Ed Sheeran suffers major blow as Macklemore controversy rages on

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Zenna, J. (2026, September 23). Ed Sheeran suffers major blow as Macklemore controversy rages on. New York Post. https://pagesix.com/2026/09/23/celebrity-news/ed-sheeran-suffers-major-blow-as-macklemore-controversy-rages-on/

Dated when The Aporia collected the article, usually within hours of publication. Check the original for its exact date and byline.

Quick Summary

Ed Sheeran addressed his tour controversy during a Philadelphia concert, expressing emotional support from fans despite losing some longtime friends over Macklemore's removal from their joint tour due to political statements. The conflict escalated when Macklemre was fired after performing a protest song and mentioning Palestine at a show, with both artists blaming each other for the decision through social media posts. Sheeran maintained that it was the promoter’s choice based on how Macklemore conveyed his message during the performance, while his cousin criticized him for maintaining a "fake narrative" to protect his career interests.

Written by AI on 2026-09-23, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

AI analysis

Story summary

Macklemore was dropped from Ed Sheeran’s US tour after making pro-Palestinian comments at concerts. The rapper was removed following his chants of “Free Palestine” and criticism of Israel's actions as apartheid and genocide during performances in New Jersey. Promoters for the tour, Messina Touring Group, confirmed they received notifications from American venues that Macklemore would not be allowed to perform, potentially resulting in tour cancellation. Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium where Sheeran was scheduled to play, reportedly pressured Sheeran over Macklemore’s involvement. In response, Charlotte Church criticized Ed Sheeran during a concert for prioritizing profits over addressing the Gaza conflict.

Written for “Macklemore Dropped From Ed Sheeran Tour” on 2026-11-04, grounded in this article and the 120 other(s) covering the same event.

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Claims extracted

sentences that state something as happening or true

Uncertain

1 of 17 hedged ("reportedly", "may", "according to")

Leaning

not political

takes no side on a contested political question

Publisher signals

66/100

New York Post's corrections and hedging, across everything collected from it. Not a measure of accuracy.

Outlets on this story

121

Entertainment

Same framing elsewhere

articles that frame the event the way this one does

Who wrote this

Jolie Zenna

75 article(s) here · 1 carrying a prediction

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All 75 articles by Jolie Zenna →

Claims (17 extracted, 1 hedged)

“In these situations you really find out who your friends are. asserted

friends → find → situations

It’s been a weird week,” he tearfully told the crowd at his Saturday show in video captured by a fan. asserted

he → tell → fan

“It happened very quickly. asserted

It → happen → ?

At the same time, I had so many people telling me to cancel this tour and so many people I’ve known for years and years and years they’re kind of backing away.” asserted

they → have → years

“I look at the end of the week and I see 50,000 people who haven’t abandoned me,” he said. asserted

he → look → me

“People will say what they want, but I am doing this for you. asserted

I → say → you

I love you. asserted

I → love → you

I love this.” asserted

I → love → this

Ahead of Saturday’s show in Philadelphia, the “Thinking Out Loud” singer took drastic security measures because he feared people would throw things at him onstage. asserted

people → think → him

As Page Six previously reported, Macklemore was removed from the lineup after shouting “Free Palestine” and performing his 2024 protest song “Hind’s Hall” during his set at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey earlier this month. asserted

Macklemore → report → Jersey

The “Thrift Shop” rapper addressed his firing in a statement shared to Instagram, claiming that Sheeran and his team made the decision to drop him after being pressured by Robert Kraft — owner of the Kraft Group, which operates Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts — and other stadium owners. asserted

which → address → Massachusetts

According to Macklemore, Kraft “gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues. uncertain

you → accord → venues

Sheeran later addressed the situation in a statement on Instagram, claiming that Macklemore’s removal from the tour was the “promoter’s decision,” not his own, because his contract was “with the promoter” rather than Sheeran. asserted

contract → address → Sheeran

Sheeran insisted he tried to “build a bridge” between the two sides, but ultimately, the issue came down to the way “Macklemore conveyed part of his message during his performance.” asserted

Macklemore → insist → performance

In addition to losing mass amounts of social media followers, Sheeran’s own cousin Jethro Sheeran called him “selfish,” “malicious” and “cunning,” in a scathing Instagram post last week following the controversy. asserted

cousin → lose → controversy

“He puts out [a] fake narrative that’s calculated just to keep everyone happy so he can do big, private gigs and keep brand deals, etc. asserted

he → put → deals

I agree with all of the comments he’s [gotten] and [the] bad press,” Jethro wrote in part. asserted

Jethro → agree → part

Ed Sheeran suffers major blow as Macklemore controversy rages on

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Claims (17 extracted, 1 hedged)