Stacks of cash
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Macklemore has challenged billionaire Robert Kraft to match his $1 million (£735,000) pledge supporting Palestinians, an amount equivalent to just 0.00658% of the New England Patriots owner's estimated $15.2 billion (£11.2 billion) fortune.

The Grammy-winning American rapper issued the challenge after being removed from the US leg of Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour following objections from some venue owners to his public pro-Palestinian remarks.

Macklemore said he would donate his entire $1 million in net earnings from the tour to six organisations supporting Palestinians and relief efforts in Gaza.

'I will be donating the entire $1M of my net earnings from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour to six organisations working directly to support the Palestinian people,' he wrote on Instagram. 'And I invite Robert Kraft to match my donation.'

$1M Is Just 0.00658% of Kraft's Fortune

Forbes estimates Kraft's net worth at $15.2 billion, meaning the $1 million Macklemore challenged him to match represents approximately 0.00658% of his fortune. Put another way, Kraft's estimated net worth is roughly 15,200 times larger than Macklemore's proposed $1 million donation.

The 85-year-old businessman built much of his wealth through manufacturing and sports. His holdings include the New England Patriots and Major League Soccer's New England Revolution. Kraft bought the Patriots for $172 million in 1994. He sold an 8% stake in the franchise in 2025 at a $9 billion valuation, while Forbes now values the team at more than $10 billion.

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Kraft Pledges $2M After Call With Ed Sheeran

Kraft subsequently said he had already committed to donating $2 million towards humanitarian aid following a call with Sheeran, before Macklemore publicly challenged him to match his $1 million pledge.

'Earlier today, before Macklemore challenged me to match his donation, Ed called me and asked me to commit $2 million to match his donation to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis,' Kraft said in a statement posted through Gillette Stadium's account on X.

Kraft said Sheeran also planned to reach out to other venue owners as part of the humanitarian effort. Neither Kraft nor Sheeran initially identified where their respective $2 million commitments would go.

'In addition, I'd like the people who are speaking in support of the Palestinian people to know that for decades, I have supported efforts that create opportunity for Palestinians and have brought young Palestinians and Israelis together to build businesses, create jobs, and forge relationships,' Kraft added.

Challenge Follows Macklemore's Tour Exit

Macklemore's $1 million pledge came after he was removed from Sheeran's tour.

Sheeran later said several venue owners had objected to Macklemore remaining on the bill, while maintaining that the promoter ultimately made the decision to remove him. The Loop Tour is scheduled to stop at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on 25 and 26 September.

Kraft separately said Macklemore would not be allowed to perform at Gillette Stadium, citing the rapper's 'recent actions' and what Kraft characterised as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery. Kraft said Macklemore's actions had offended and hurt members of the Jewish community.

Macklemore has continued to defend his position publicly.

'Whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives are worth protecting,' he wrote. 'A Palestinian life is no less valuable than any other life on this earth.'

The fallout has since widened beyond Macklemore and Kraft. The remaining opening acts, Finneas, Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe, withdrew from the tour, while Sheeran's backing band, Beoga, also departed in solidarity with Macklemore.

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