Robert Kraft Donates $2 Million to Palestine Relief After Macklemore Tour Controversy

After being dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour for pro-Palestine remarks, Macklemore challenged Robert Kraft to donate — and Kraft responded with $2 million.

Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and MetLife Stadium, announced a $2 million donation to Palestine relief efforts — double the $1 million Macklemore had publicly challenged him to contribute. According to TMZ, Ed Sheeran personally called Kraft before Macklemore issued his public challenge, suggesting the donation was already in motion behind the scenes before the social media showdown became public. The dispute traces back to Ed Sheeran's tour stop at MetLife Stadium, where Macklemore was an opening act. According to a Wall Street Journal report cited by TMZ, NFL owners who hold a stake in MetLife Stadium were allegedly assured that Macklemore would not discuss Palestine during the second night of shows — but he did so anyway. Shortly afterward, Macklemore was dropped from Sheeran's tour. Macklemore then turned the controversy into a fundraising challenge, publicly calling on Kraft — as a prominent figure connected to the venue and the situation — to match his $1 million donation to Palestinians. Kraft agreed, and then doubled the amount to $2 million, a move that Just Jared and TMZ both reported as being facilitated in part through Sheeran's direct outreach. The fallout from Macklemore's removal has extended beyond the stadium. The Philly Palestine Coalition and at least one other pro-Palestine group announced plans to protest outside Sheeran's upcoming Philadelphia show, according to TMZ, keeping the controversy in the public eye as the tour continues. Amid the debate, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy publicly sided with Kraft, praising him as "the hero" in the dispute and labeling Macklemore antisemitic in posts shared online Wednesday. Portnoy's comments add a further layer of public argument to what began as a backstage dispute over a concert performance.

Why it matters

The incident illustrates how celebrity platforms and live-event politics can intersect with major philanthropic and geopolitical issues, drawing billionaire sports owners, prominent musicians, and activist groups into a single escalating public dispute. The $2 million donation and planned protests show the controversy has moved well beyond the original concert booking decision.

What's next

The Philly Palestine Coalition's planned protest outside Sheeran's Philadelphia show is the next flashpoint to watch, as it will indicate whether the controversy continues to follow the tour.

Key facts

• Robert Kraft pledged $2 million to Palestine relief — double Macklemore's public $1 million challenge
• Ed Sheeran reportedly called Kraft directly before Macklemore issued his public donation challenge
• NFL owners with stakes in MetLife Stadium were allegedly promised Macklemore would not discuss Palestine on night two of the tour stop — he did anyway, per the Wall Street Journal
• Macklemore was subsequently dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour
• The Philly Palestine Coalition announced a protest planned outside Sheeran's upcoming Philadelphia show
• Dave Portnoy publicly called Macklemore antisemitic and praised Kraft in posts shared Wednesday

Bias & framing notes

All five sources are entertainment outlets — four are TMZ and one is Just Jared — with no independent verification from news organizations. Key claims, including the alleged assurances given to NFL owners and Ed Sheeran's private phone call to Kraft, rely on unnamed sourcing or secondary attribution to the Wall Street Journal rather than direct documentation. TMZ's coverage does not include comment from Macklemore or his representatives, and Dave Portnoy's characterization of Macklemore as antisemitic is presented as his stated opinion but given prominent play without rebuttal in that piece.

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