{
  "id": 8613945,
  "title": "‘We have skin in the game’: TD backs ‘half Irish’ Macklemore after Sheeran ditching",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/we-have-skin-in-the-game-td-backs-half-irish-macklemore-after-sheeran",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-20T05:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Irish Times",
    "slug": "the-irish-times",
    "url": "https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/09/20/we-have-skin-in-the-game-td-backs-half-irish-macklemore-after-sheeran-ditching/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Ed Sheeran has apologised to fans for his part in a controversy involving US singer Macklemore and his remarks on Palestine. During a concert in Philadelphia, Sheeran said he had made mistakes and apologised, adding that he had tried to avoid being a political commentator but could no longer hide his feelings. He described the October 7 attack by Hamas as \"horrific\" and what was happening in Gaza as \"catastrophic and unjustifiable, and disproportionate\".\n\nMacklemore was removed as one of Sheeran's tour's opening acts after saying \"Free Palestine\" at a show earlier this month. The other supporting acts, including American musician Finneas, Irish singer Aaron Rowe, Danish band Lukas Graham, and Irish folk group Beoga, subsequently quit to show solidarity with Macklemore.\n\nAn Irish TD has expressed support for Macklemore, according to The Irish Times, describing him as \"half Irish\".",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "'What is happening in Gaza is unjustifiable': Ed Sheeran admits 'mistakes' after Macklemore controversy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/what-is-happening-in-gaza-is-unjustifiable-ed-sheeran-admits-mistakes",
        "published": "2026-09-20T03:38:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Times of Israel",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran says Gaza situation ‘unjustifiable’ amid ongoing outcry over Macklemore’s ouster",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/ed-sheeran-says-gaza-situation-unjustifiable-amid-ongoing-outcry-over",
        "published": "2026-09-20T06:50:06.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn",
        "title": "British pop star Ed Sheeran calls Israel's treatment of Gazans 'unjustifiable,' apologises for Macklemore controversy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/british-pop-star-ed-sheeran-calls-israels-treatment-of-gazans",
        "published": "2026-09-20T07:05:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran calls Israel's treatment of Gazans 'unjustifiable,' apologizes for Macklemore controversy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/ed-sheeran-calls-israels-treatment-of-gazans-unjustifiable-apologizes",
        "published": "2026-09-20T07:12:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}