Abdullah Hammoud
Role at the time: Mayor of Dearborn, Michigan
Defended or excused
Statement summary
Mayor Abdullah Hammoud publicly invited Macklemore to perform at a free, city-sponsored concert after his removal from the tour.
“Hey @macklemore, if they don’t want you performing in their stadiums, you’re always welcome in Dearborn. Come put on a show here.”
Open source (opens in a new tab)Ed Sheeran addresses Macklemore’s tour exit amid Robert Kraft boycott claimsPassages quoting Sheeran, Aaron Rowe, Ms. Rachel, Kneecap, Mayor Hammoud and Rep. Jayapal.
NBC News reports Sheeran’s September 15 Instagram statement and rounds up public figures who voiced support for Macklemore, including Kneecap and the mayor of Dearborn. Published 11:03 a.m. ET and updated 3:18 p.m. ET on September 15, 2026.
Why we used this label
Relative to Macklemore’s speech and removal, Hammoud answers the exclusion with a public invitation, contrasting the stadiums that dropped him with his own city. The offer is an attributable rejection of the exclusion rather than neutral hospitality.