The New England Patriots owner says Ed Sheeran approached him about humanitarian aid before Macklemore publicly challenged him to match the rapper’s donation. The move comes amid an escalating dispute over Macklemore’s removal from Sheeran’s U.S. Loop Tour.

Robert Kraft has responded to Macklemore’s public challenge to donate to Palestinian humanitarian relief, saying he had already committed $2 million — twice the amount Macklemore called on him to match.

The billionaire owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium issued a statement Wednesday, Sept. 16, amid a rapidly escalating controversy surrounding Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. Loop Tour.

“I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people,” Kraft said in the statement. “I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting.”

According to Kraft, Sheeran personally contacted him before Macklemore issued his public challenge and asked Kraft to commit $2 million to match Sheeran’s own planned contribution toward humanitarian relief in the region.

“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.

Kraft added that Sheeran intends to approach other venue owners about contributing as well, saying their goal is to “continue to work together to build bridges.”

Separate reporting Wednesday indicates that Sheeran and Kraft are each committing $2 million, for a combined $4 million in humanitarian aid. 

Macklemore puts $1 million on the table

Kraft’s announcement came shortly after Macklemore pledged to donate the entirety of his $1 million in net earnings from Sheeran’s Loop Tour to six organizations supporting Palestinians.

The organizations named by Macklemore are the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, HEAL Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, the UNRWA USA National Committee and Anera. 

Macklemore then publicly challenged Kraft to match his contribution.

The rapper framed the donation as an effort to shift attention away from the increasingly public dispute over his removal from the tour and back toward Palestinian civilians.

“Writing a check is one of the least costly forms of solidarity available to me,” Macklemore wrote, adding that the organizations receiving the money are carrying out humanitarian work while the wider political debate continues.

His announcement followed several turbulent days for Sheeran’s tour. Macklemore had been removed as an opening act after making pro-Palestinian statements during recent performances, and the tour’s other supporting acts subsequently withdrew. 

Macklemore accused Kraft of driving his removal

At the center of the dispute is Macklemore’s claim that Kraft played a leading role in getting him removed from the Loop Tour.

Macklemore alleged that Kraft threatened not to allow the Gillette Stadium date to proceed with the rapper on the lineup and that Kraft encouraged other stadium owners to take similar positions. Kraft did confirm that he objected to Macklemore performing at Gillette Stadium, although the broader claim that he orchestrated the response from other venues originated with Macklemore. 

The controversy followed Macklemore’s recent onstage pro-Palestinian remarks, including saying “Free Palestine.” Kraft argued that the issue went beyond advocacy for Palestinians, pointing to what he described as Macklemore’s broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery. Macklemore has disputed the characterization of his Palestinian advocacy as antisemitic. 

The tour promoter, Messina Touring Group, said venues had informed organizers that they would not permit concerts to proceed with Macklemore on the lineup, creating the prospect that shows affecting hundreds of thousands of fans could be canceled. Sheeran subsequently said removing Macklemore was not his decision, describing himself as having spent days trying to mediate between the parties. 

Kraft addresses Palestinians directly

Kraft’s latest statement also sought to emphasize his support for Palestinian civilians.

“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,” he said.

That message follows Kraft’s earlier defense of his decision regarding Gillette Stadium. He said then that he did not want the stadium used as what he characterized as a platform for hate speech, while also acknowledging the suffering and loss experienced by innocent Palestinians. 

The two sides therefore remain sharply divided over Macklemore’s removal and the distinction between pro-Palestinian advocacy and rhetoric Kraft considers antisemitic. But on the narrower question raised by Macklemore’s $1 million challenge, Kraft has now responded with a larger commitment: $2 million from Kraft alongside $2 million from Sheeran.

Combined with Macklemore’s pledged $1 million, the announcements amount to at least $5 million in humanitarian commitments emerging from a controversy that began over what could — and could not — be said from the stage.