Comedian Kathy Griffin says Ed Sheeran should have challenged Robert Kraft after the stadium owner opposed rapper Macklemore’s appearance at Gillette Stadium. Griffin made the remarks in a September 23 interview with Queerty, after Macklemore was removed from the remaining U.S. dates of Sheeran’s tour.
Griffin argued that Macklemore should be able to voice support for Palestinians onstage. She also said she personally believes a genocide is happening in Gaza, making clear that this was her opinion. The dispute has drawn competing claims about political speech, antisemitism and the role of private concert venues.
What Griffin said
Griffin said Sheeran should have rejected pressure to remove Macklemore, even if that meant losing some stadium dates. She also described Macklemore’s “Free Palestine” message as protected speech.
Griffin said she does not want Israel to be eradicated and does not have a problem with Jewish or Palestinian people. She said she opposes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and believes Palestine should become its own country. Her comments were made in an interview, not in a legal filing or official investigation.
How Macklemore left the tour
The controversy began after Macklemore called for a “Free Palestine” during his opening sets at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4 and 5. He also performed “Hind’s Hall,” his protest song about pro-Palestinian student demonstrations.
On September 14, tour promoter Messina Touring Group said venues on the remaining U.S. dates would not allow concerts with Macklemore in the lineup. The promoter then announced he would not perform on the remaining support dates. Macklemore said he had been removed from the tour and alleged that Kraft had urged other stadium owners to reject the lineup.
Kraft confirmed that Macklemore would not perform at Gillette Stadium for Sheeran’s September 25 and 26 shows. Kraft said the decision followed Macklemore’s recent stage material and what Kraft described as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery. Macklemore denies being antisemitic and has argued that criticism of Israel should not be treated as antisemitism.
Sheeran and the Israeli-American Council respond
Sheeran said the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the promoter and venues, not by him. He said venues had threatened to pull their shows if Macklemore remained on the tour, and said he spoke with Kraft and others in an effort to reach a solution. The promoter’s statement likewise said venues would not host the concerts with Macklemore on the lineup.
The Israeli-American Council had called for Macklemore’s removal and later praised Kraft and other stadium owners. In a statement reported by Fox News, the council said a performer it accuses of antisemitism should not be given a stage. Those are the council’s claims; Macklemore rejects the characterization.
What the free-speech argument means
Griffin’s statement that Macklemore’s remarks are protected by the First Amendment is her view. The First Amendment generally restricts government action; the Supreme Court has said private organizations are not ordinarily bound by it simply because they provide a forum for speech. The reviewed reporting did not identify a court decision on this dispute.
The case has become part of a wider debate over whether performers should use concert stages for political messages, and whether venues or promoters can set limits on what appears in a show. Macklemore has announced separate “Free Palestine Tour” dates in Dublin, Paris and London for October.
