Macklemore has come under fire after turning his opening set at Ed Sheeran's New Jersey concerts into a political statement, repeatedly calling for 'Free Palestine' and using the stadium stage to speak about Gaza, the occupied West Bank and other global conflicts.
The rapper's comments have triggered a petition calling for him to be removed from the remaining dates of Sheeran's Loop Tour, while actor Michael Rapaport branded Macklemore a 'clown' and questioned why he had been given the platform. The backlash has divided concertgoers, with some leaving during his performance while others applauded his decision to use the stage for human-rights advocacy.
Macklemore Turns Opening Set Into Political Statement
Macklemore performed before Sheeran at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on 4 and 5 September.
Wearing a keffiyeh, he repeatedly led the audience in chants of 'Free Palestine' before delivering a speech about his decision to use major US stadium stages to speak about the conflict.
He told the crowd that people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank had not been forgotten and said every human being deserved the same freedom, safety and peace.
Macklemore also spoke about his 11-year-old daughter, saying he wanted her to grow up with the freedom to experience school, love and happiness. He then extended his calls for freedom to other countries and criticised US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which he described as a 'terrorist organisation'.
The political messaging was not limited to words. Macklemore performed his 2024 protest song 'Hind's Hall' while footage from Gaza, pro-Palestinian demonstrations and other imagery appeared on the stadium screens.
Michael Rapaport Calls Macklemore a 'Clown'
The performance quickly drew criticism from Michael Rapaport, who is Jewish and has become an outspoken supporter of Israel. Rapaport attacked Macklemore on X, calling him a 'clown' and criticising both his performance and his decision to discuss the conflict during an Ed Sheeran concert.
He also questioned Sheeran's decision to have Macklemore as an opening act and suggested the political speech was inappropriate for the event. Rapaport's comments added another layer to an already heated debate over whether artists should use mainstream concert platforms to address international political issues.
However, criticism has not been universal.
Some audience members praised Macklemore for speaking about Palestinian rights and argued that musicians have historically used their platforms to address social and political issues. Others said they had paid to see Sheeran and did not expect the opening act to deliver a political speech.
You suck you have always sucked
— MichaelRapaport (@MichaelRapaport) September 7, 2026
you suck at whatever music you do it’s not RAPPING & you’re a long time anti Jewish scmbag with a dikc head scarf on & ridiculous mustache https://t.co/VpwwB98s9Y
Petition Calls for Rapper To Be Removed
The controversy escalated when the Israeli-American Council launched a petition calling for Macklemore to be removed from the remaining dates of Sheeran's Loop Tour.
The organisation argued that an Ed Sheeran concert should not become a platform for what it described as a 'one-sided political agenda'.
The petition does not mean Macklemore has been removed from the tour. In fact, Sheeran's official tour information currently lists Macklemore among the support acts for upcoming US dates, including Philadelphia on 19 September and Foxborough on 25 and 26 September.
As of 8 September, Sheeran has not publicly commented on the controversy.
Macklemore Responds to the Backlash
Macklemore has since addressed the reaction to his performance.
Following the criticism, he shared footage of his speech and wrote that wanting all humans to be treated equally should not be controversial.
The response reinforces that his appearance on Sheeran's tour was not an isolated political moment. Macklemore has spent years speaking publicly about Palestine and has previously used his music to address the conflict.
His 2024 song 'Hind's Hall', named after Hamilton Hall at Columbia University, was released in response to pro-Palestinian student demonstrations and became a prominent part of his activism.
Macklemore has also previously spoken at pro-Palestinian demonstrations, meaning his comments at MetLife were consistent with a position he has publicly held for several years.
Fans Remain Divided
The response inside the stadium reflected the wider online debate.
Some fans joined Macklemore in chanting 'Free Palestine' and praised him for using a major platform to speak about human rights. Others said they were uncomfortable with the political content and left their seats during his set.
The reaction has also prompted wider discussion about the expectations attached to opening acts. While artists have long used concerts to express political views, the scale of Sheeran's stadium tour means Macklemore's remarks reached a large audience who had bought tickets primarily to see the British pop star.
The disagreement is not simply about Macklemore's views. It is also about whether a support act should have the freedom to turn a commercial concert into a platform for political advocacy.
What Happens to the Tour?
For now, Macklemore remains listed as a support act for upcoming Loop Tour dates, despite the removal petition. The situation also leaves Sheeran facing an unresolved question over whether he will respond publicly or make any changes to the remaining shows.
With Macklemore continuing to defend his message and critics demanding that he be removed, the controversy is unlikely to disappear quickly.
For the rapper, the MetLife performances were an opportunity to amplify a cause he has supported for years. For critics, including Rapaport, they crossed a line at a concert intended to showcase Sheeran.
And with more US stadium dates still ahead, the biggest question may now be whether the 'Free Palestine' controversy follows Macklemore to the next stage.
