Tommy Vietor calls the removal 'pure censorship'
Tommy VietorCo-host, Pod Save America
Tommy Vietor called Macklemore's speech unobjectionable and the removal from the tour 'pure censorship.'
“I had seen the coverage of this controversy but hadn't actually watched the speech until today...this is completely unobjectionable! Punishing him for these words is crazy and just pure censorship and everyone defending it was probably whining about cancel culture two years ago.”
Original post
Where this statement fits
Macklemore’s “Free Palestine” speech and removal from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour
At two Ed Sheeran concerts at MetLife Stadium, Macklemore called for a free Palestine, accused Israel of apartheid and genocide, and said criticism of Israel was not criticism of Jewish people. After venue objections, tour promoter Messina Touring Group said he would not perform the remaining U.S. Loop Tour dates. Critics characterized the performance as hostile or inappropriate; Macklemore defended it as a call for equal treatment.
Source and context
Original post
About this source
Tommy Vietor's own X post, quote-tweeting Macklemore's September 7 post, after watching the full MetLife speech.
Before the quotation
Posted to X on September 16, 2026, quote-tweeting Macklemore's September 7 post, after watching the full MetLife speech for the first time.
After the quotation
Several replies disputed his framing, including one arguing he had only seen a shortened, edited clip.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
On Macklemore's MetLife message, Vietor calls it 'completely unobjectionable' and the removal 'pure censorship' -- an express defense of Macklemore's conduct, not a condemnation of him.
- Recorded on
- Published here
- People and groups discussed
- Macklemore, Ed Sheeran, Robert Kraft
More from this case
Read the full caseMacklemore says the "billionaire class" should not decide "which voices are allowed on stage"
“What happened to me is bigger than one artist or one stage. When the billionaire class can decide which voices are allowed on stage and which ones are too dangerous to hear, everyone should be paying attention. So we're going on tour. All proceeds will benefit organizations supporting the Palestinian people and movement.”Read statement
Jewish Voice for Peace says the backlash to Macklemore's removal shows support for pro-Palestine speech
Jewish Voice for Peace
“Two years into Trump’s crackdown on pro-Palestine organizing, the backlash against Sheeran shows how little patience Americans have for attacks on pro-Palestine speech. It also demonstrates the shift toward support for Palestinian rights among everyday Americans that our movements have helped propel.”Read statement
Macklemore announces "Free Palestine Tour" after removal from U.S. dates
“To push back when the call for a Free Palestine is met with attempts to silence it.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Tommy Vietor calls the removal 'pure censorship'". First published: 2026-09-17. Last updated: 2026-09-22. https://disputeindex.com/events/938-tommy-vietor-called-macklemore-s-speech-unobjectionable-and