Kathy Griffin Says Ed Sheeran Should Have Challenged Robert Kraft Over Macklemore

Kathy Griffin said Ed Sheeran should have defied Robert Kraft after Macklemore was dropped from the remaining dates of Sheeran's US tour following the rapper's pro-Palestinian remarks.

Griffin made the comments in an interview with Queerty published on 23 September 2026. She argued that Sheeran had enough influence to challenge the decision, although Sheeran has since said the removal was made by the tour's promoters and venues.

Why Kathy Griffin Defended Macklemore

The controversy escalated following Macklemore's performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on 4 September. The rapper performed Hind's Hall and expressed support for Palestinians during the show.

Macklemore was dropped from the remaining dates of Sheeran's US tour on 14 September. His removal followed objections to his political remarks and the decision by Gillette Stadium, which is owned by Kraft, not to host him.

Macklemore later alleged that Kraft had contacted other stadium owners and warned that Sheeran could lose access to their venues if Macklemore remained on the line-up. That claim has been attributed to Macklemore and should not be treated as an independently established fact.

Kraft confirmed that Macklemore would not perform at Gillette Stadium. He said the decision reflected concerns about what he described as a broader history of rhetoric and imagery that he believed had offended and hurt the Jewish community.

Kraft also said the decision was not intended to deny support for Palestinians. 'Their pain and loss are real,' he said, adding that advocacy for Palestinians 'should not come at the expense of the Jewish community.'

Sheeran later said the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the tour's promoters and venues. The promoter involved in the tour was Messina Touring Group.

Griffin, however, argued that Sheeran could have challenged the decision, even if doing so risked affecting the tour.

'I wish that Ed Sheeran had not taken the advice of the ones who told him to fire Macklemore,' Griffin said. 'Let's not be listening to f*ck*ng Robert Kraft. When Robert Kraft says I've called all the other stadium owners, and they're not gonna let you do the show with Macklemore either, Ed Sheeran should've said go f**k yourself.'

She added, 'I can go to Brazil and perform for 250,000 people. He had more options.'

Griffin was expressing an opinion about Sheeran's influence, not establishing what the singer could legally or contractually have done. Still, her argument goes to the heart of the dispute. Who controls a major concert, the artist, the promoter or the venue owner?

Macklemore Announces Free Palestine Tour

Griffin also expressed support for Palestinian rights and criticised the Israeli government's actions in Gaza, describing the situation as genocide in her opinion. She distinguished criticism of Israel from hostility towards Jewish people and expressed support for a Palestinian state.

Those views reflect the wider disagreement over political expression at live performances. Macklemore's supporters argue that artists should be able to speak about the war and support Palestinian rights. Critics, including the Israeli-American Council, have characterised some of his language and imagery as antisemitic.

The Israeli-American Council praised Kraft's decision. 'The Israeli-American Council applauds Robert Kraft and his fellow stadium owners for their moral leadership in expelling rapper Macklemore from the concert stage rather than allow him to promote antisemitism,' the organisation said in a statement.

That characterisation is disputed by Macklemore and his supporters. The available reporting does not establish an objective finding that his remarks were antisemitic, making attribution essential.

The controversy has since extended beyond Sheeran's tour. On 24 September, Macklemore announced a three-date Free Palestine Tour, with proceeds intended to support organisations assisting Palestinians.

The first show is scheduled for Dublin's 3Arena on 26 October. He will then perform at Paris's Accor Arena on 29 October before appearing at OVO Arena Wembley in London on 30 October.

Further dates and guest performers have not been fully confirmed. Representatives for Sheeran, Kraft and Macklemore were approached for comment in coverage of the dispute, but no additional response was included.

For Griffin, the issue is not simply whether Macklemore's remarks were welcome at a stadium. She believes Sheeran should have resisted the decision rather than accept the limits imposed by venues and promoters.

That view is forceful, but it remains her assessment of what happened, not a settled account of who had final authority.