Rashida Tlaib says she stopped respecting Ed Sheeran over Macklemore’s removal

U.S. representative for Michigan’s 12th Congressional District, speaking to TMZ

Folks have platforms and use their positions to express their feelings around human rights, around protecting people, but it seems there’s always an exception when it comes to Palestinian lives.” … “It’s unfortunate because he said he doesn’t want to take sides, but he did on Ukraine. ‘I’m for human rights,’ except for Palestinians. … There’s always an exception for Palestinian people, as if we’re disposable.” … “I stopped respecting him.
Open the original interview (opens in a new tab)Rep. Rashida Tlaib Torches Ed Sheeran, Robert Kraft Over MacklemoreArticle and accompanying exclusive video, “Rashida Tlaib Defends Macklemore, Torches Ed Sheeran and Robert Kraft,” filmed by Charlie Cotton for TMZ DC. Published 10:09 a.m. PDT, September 15, 2026.
Open source (opens in a new tab)Rep. Tlaib Eviscerates Ed Sheeran For Supporting Ukraine, Silence On Palestine As Macklemore Controversy EscalatesQuotations transcribed from the TMZ interview, published 3:02 p.m., September 15, 2026.

Source and context

Interview

Rep. Rashida Tlaib Torches Ed Sheeran, Robert Kraft Over Macklemore (opens in a new tab)Article and accompanying exclusive video, “Rashida Tlaib Defends Macklemore, Torches Ed Sheeran and Robert Kraft,” filmed by Charlie Cotton for TMZ DC. Published 10:09 a.m. PDT, September 15, 2026.

About this source

TMZ’s own doorstep interview with Rep. Tlaib, published as video with a written summary. The video is the primary record; the article paraphrases rather than transcribing most of her answers. TMZ adds that Gillette Stadium is among the few privately financed NFL stadiums, which bears on her description of “publicly funded stadiums.”

Reporting

Rep. Tlaib Eviscerates Ed Sheeran For Supporting Ukraine, Silence On Palestine As Macklemore Controversy Escalates (opens in a new tab)Quotations transcribed from the TMZ interview, published 3:02 p.m., September 15, 2026.

About this source

AllHipHop transcribes Rep. Tlaib’s answers from the TMZ video at greater length than TMZ’s own write-up, and is the source of the verbatim wording recorded here.

Before the quotation

TMZ approached Tlaib on September 15, the day Sheeran said the removal had been the promoter’s decision. Macklemore had alleged that Robert Kraft organised pressure against him.

After the quotation

Tlaib also said “these billionaires that own these stadiums, which are publicly funded stadiums, are trying to breach someone’s First Amendment right,” and said Kraft and others “should actually be investigated for being tied to Epstein.” Both are her assertions and are not established findings. TMZ notes in the same article that Gillette Stadium is among the few privately financed NFL stadiums, which conflicts with her description of publicly funded venues.

How this statement is classified

Defended or excused

Case context: Macklemore’s “Free Palestine” speech and removal from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour

The label describes this statement’s response within the context above.

Why this label?

Relative to Macklemore’s MetLife speech and his removal, Tlaib defends the speech and condemns the removal, framing it as the suppression of advocacy for Palestinians. She goes beyond criticising the outcome to endorse the stand Macklemore took, and names Sheeran and Kraft as responsible.

Recorded on
Published here
People and groups discussed
Macklemore, Ed Sheeran

More from this case

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Jonathan Greenblatt

Glad to see Macklemore off Ed Sheeran’s tour. For years, Macklemore has pushed antisemitic tropes and demonized Israel and Israelis. Now he certainly has the 1A right to speak out and express his views, but demonizing Jews and Israelis shouldn’t be rewarded.
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Ben Rhodes

When your only response to dissent is to use power and wealth to make it go away, you are going to have the opposite effect. People can see what’s happening in the Middle East with their eyes and don’t want to be told what they’re allowed to think by people who own stadiums.
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Richard Boyd Barrett

So proud of Aaron. A brave and selfless act to stand with Palestine & humanity against Israel’s barbarism and the billionaires that support their crimes. Aaron you have upheld Ireland’s noble tradition of resistance to colonialism & Empire. So proud!
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