Greta Thunberg Calls Out Ed Sheeran's 'Lack of Spine,' Says Stars With Bigger Platforms Have 'Bigger Responsibility'

Greta Thunberg has publicly criticised Ed Sheeran following the removal of Macklemore from his US tour, arguing that artists with huge audiences have a greater responsibility to speak out about humanitarian issues.

The climate activist joined the growing backlash after Macklemore was dropped from Sheeran's Loop Tour following his onstage support for Palestinians. Macklemore had spoken about the situation in Gaza during a September performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey and performed his protest song 'Hind's Hall.' He was subsequently removed from the remaining tour dates after venues reportedly threatened consequences if he remained on the lineup.

Greta Thunberg Calls Out Sheeran

Thunberg later addressed the controversy in a video shared online, criticising what she described as Sheeran's 'lack of spine' and arguing that people with larger platforms have greater responsibilities.

'The bigger your platform and your access to resources, the bigger your responsibility,' Thunberg said, while also calling for continued pressure on people and institutions she believes are complicit in atrocities.

Her comments came shortly after Sheeran addressed the controversy publicly for the first time following Macklemore's departure. The singer said he had spent the week attempting to resolve the situation and insisted that removing Macklemore was not his decision.

Sheeran Says the Decision Was Not His

Sheeran has said that Macklemore's contract was with the tour promoter rather than with him personally. He explained that venues had threatened to cancel shows if Macklemore remained part of the lineup, leaving organisers to make the final decision.

Sheeran also said he wanted his concerts to remain spaces where audiences could come together rather than political forums. He acknowledged the seriousness of the conflict while maintaining that he preferred a diplomatic approach and wanted to keep conversations open.

That explanation has not stopped criticism from other artists and activists. Several performers who had been involved with the tour, including Finneas, Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe, subsequently withdrew from the remaining dates in solidarity with Macklemore. Members of Sheeran's touring band also left.

Macklemore Stands By His Message

Macklemore has maintained that his support for Palestinians was the reason he was removed from the tour and said he had no regrets about speaking publicly. He also announced that he would donate $1 million (£747,000) from his tour earnings towards Palestinian relief efforts.

The controversy has placed Sheeran in an increasingly difficult public debate over whether major entertainers should remain politically neutral or use their platforms to address humanitarian crises.

For Thunberg, the size of an artist's audience increases the responsibility that comes with having that platform. She has also argued that pressure should not be directed at only one person, saying that similar scrutiny should be applied to others she considers complicit.

A Wider Debate Over Celebrity Responsibility

The dispute ultimately extends beyond Sheeran and Macklemore. It has raised broader questions about the responsibilities of performers, the limits placed on political expression at major concerts and the influence that venues and promoters have over what artists can say on stage.

Sheeran has maintained that there is room for different approaches, while Macklemore has continued to defend his decision to use his performances to speak about Palestinians.

With Thunberg now adding her voice to the controversy, the disagreement has become another example of the increasingly complicated relationship between celebrity platforms, political expression and humanitarian advocacy.