Pro-Israel billionaire Robert Kraft led campaign to drop Macklemore from Ed Sheeran tour

Billionaire New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft spearheaded a campaign to remove rapper Macklemore from Ed Sheeran's tour, following Macklemore's public condemnation of Israel's actions in Gaza. Kraft, who is also a fan of Gillette Stadium, threatened to withhold use of his venue if Macklemore remained on the tour. Ed Sheeran subsequently informed Macklemore that Kraft and other stadium owners had given him an ultimatum.

Macklemore acknowledged that Kraft had rallied other stadium owners and that he would not be allowed to perform at their venues if he stayed on the tour. The billionaire owner, a passionate advocate for Israel, once led a group of hall of famer American footballers on a tour of Israel and publicly stated that he is more passionate about the State of Israel than anything else in his life.

Critics argue that Kraft's decision to drop Macklemore from the tour was motivated by political bias and a desire to silence free speech.