Philip DeFranco says Ed Sheeran’s statement made the situation worse

Commentator and host of The Philip DeFranco Show

Ed, your silence was loud. Your inaction was gargantuan.” … “I also find it off-putting that he is making himself seem like he has less power in this situation, like he’s not the main … attraction, worldwide phenomenon, Ed Sheeran.
Watch the original video (opens in a new tab)Philip DeFranco, “Ed Sheeran Just Made The Macklemore Mess So Much Worse”Full video; wording taken from YouTube’s automatically generated English captions, retrieved 2026-09-15.

Source and context

Original video

Philip DeFranco, “Ed Sheeran Just Made The Macklemore Mess So Much Worse” (opens in a new tab)Full video; wording taken from YouTube’s automatically generated English captions, retrieved 2026-09-15.

About this source

A further Philip DeFranco video published after Ed Sheeran’s September 15 statement, responding to it directly. A transcript was obtained from YouTube’s automatically generated captions. Those captions contain clear transcription errors in places, so quotations drawn from them should be checked against the recording before publication.

Before the quotation

The video followed Sheeran’s September 15 statement and is titled “Ed Sheeran Just Made The Macklemore Mess So Much Worse.” DeFranco had already criticised Sheeran the previous day.

After the quotation

He also called Sheeran “a coward” and praised Ms. Rachel for speaking out despite the risk to her audience.

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, DeFranco defends the stand Macklemore took and condemns Sheeran’s handling of it, rejecting the claim that Sheeran lacked power over the outcome. This is a further, sharper statement than his September 14 remarks already recorded in this case, not a change of position, so it is recorded separately rather than as a supersession.

Recorded on
Published here
People and groups discussed
Macklemore

More from this case

Read the full case

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.
Read statement

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.
Read statement

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!
Read statement