{
  "id": 7954988,
  "title": "Ed Sheeran urged Robert Kraft to donate $2 million after Macklemore backlash",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/ed-sheeran-urged-robert-kraft-to-donate-2-million-after-macklemore",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-17T05:15:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/music/ed-sheeran-urged-robert-kraft-to-donate-2-million-dollars-after-macklemore-backlash-10881515/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ed Sheeran's American tour, the Loop Tour, has faced controversy after Macklemore was dropped as the opening act due to his pro-Palestinian comments. This decision led other supporting acts, including Finnish artist Finneas, Danish band Lukas Graham, and Irish singer Aaron Rowe, to withdraw from the tour. Finneas and Beoga highlighted their commitment to Palestinian justice, while Rowe emphasized his Irish heritage and opposition to colonialism and violence. Macklemore, who owns Gillette Stadium where Sheeran is scheduled to perform, reportedly asked Ed Sheeran to match a $1 million donation from him to organizations aiding Palestinians. Ed Sheeran confirmed Kraft's match, with Kraft expressing hope that other venue owners would join in. Sheeran's representative did not comment further on the situation.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Ed Sheeran urged Robert Kraft to donate $2 million",
    "Macklemore dropped as opening act due to pro-Palestinian comments",
    "Kraft matched $1 million donation for Palestinian aid organizations"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Ed Sheeran's decision to have Robert Kraft match a $1 million donation shifts the spotlight to other venue owners, potentially pressuring them to make similar contributions to organizations aiding Palestinians.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "KBC",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran backlash: Billionaire says musician asked him to donate $2M",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/ed-sheeran-backlash-billionaire-says-musician-asked-him-to-donate-2m",
        "published": "2026-09-17T04:30:12.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "Macklemore pledges to donate $1M from Ed Sheeran tour to Palestinian aid organisations",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/macklemore-pledges-to-donate-1m-from-ed-sheeran-tour-to-palestinian",
        "published": "2026-09-17T05:48:33.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}