Public disputes involving music, musicians, performances, recordings, distribution, and musical authorship.
Published coverage on this page: 2 cases · 24+ statements. Statements are ordered newest first.
Read Macklemore's 'Free Palestine' speech excerpts and the full transcript source. Compare the promoter's venue statement with his account of leaving Ed Sheeran's U.S. tour.
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Labels describe a response to the linked claim or the action explained in the statement summary. Choose one or more.
119 matching statements
Role at the time: Musician, in a post on X
Statement summary
Macklemore, announcing the Free Palestine Tour, said that what happened to him is "bigger than one artist or one stage" and that "everyone should be paying attention" when the "billionaire class" decides which voices are allowed on stage.
Quotation excerpt
“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…”
“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.”
What this label refers to
Relative to the confrontation over Macklemore's Free Palestine remarks and his removal from the Loop Tour, Macklemore defends his advocacy: he frames his removal as the "billionaire class" deciding who may be heard and announces a tour to continue the message, with proceeds going to Palestinian causes. It is consistent in direction with his earlier statements defending his message, but moves from his September 14 statement about the removal to a broader claim about who controls access to stages.
Role at the time: Jewish Voice for Peace, in a post in its weekly publication The Wire
Statement summary
Jewish Voice for Peace said the backlash against Ed Sheeran after Macklemore's removal shows how little patience Americans have for attacks on pro-Palestine speech, and reflects a shift toward support for Palestinian rights that its movements have helped propel.
Quotation excerpt
“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…”
“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.”
What this label refers to
The case looks at Macklemore's speech and his removal from the tour. JVP's post says Macklemore's words "expressed the sentiments of millions" and treats the backlash against Sheeran as a sign of how little patience Americans have for attacks on pro-Palestine speech. That takes Macklemore's side against the removal, so we labeled it Defended or excused.
Role at the time: Musician and subject of the case
Statement summary
In an Instagram post, Macklemore announced a "Free Palestine Tour" and wrote that artists should "push back" when the call for a free Palestine is met with attempts to silence it. He said proceeds would benefit organizations supporting Palestinians and the movement.
“To push back when the call for a Free Palestine is met with attempts to silence it.”
What this label refers to
The case concerns Macklemore's Free Palestine speech at Ed Sheeran concerts and the resulting removal from the remaining U.S. tour dates. Macklemore says artists should use their stages to call for a free Palestine and resist efforts to silence that call. This defends the advocacy under scrutiny rather than only disputing its description.
Role at the time: Executive chair and chief executive officer of TKO Group Holdings and executive chairman of WME Group, in an interview on The Daily Show
Statement summary
Ari Emanuel, asked by Jon Stewart on The Daily Show whether what Macklemore said on stage was hate, said he did not think it was completely understanding the facts and that it was belittling to Jewish people.
“I don't think it was completely understanding the facts. And I think it was belittling to Jewish people, too.”
What this label refers to
The case looks at Macklemore's speech at MetLife Stadium and the response to it. Asked whether what Macklemore said on stage was hate, Emanuel said it was not completely understanding the facts and was belittling to Jewish people. That is a direct criticism of what Macklemore said, so we labeled it Condemned rather than Challenged the characterization.
Role at the time: Singer and performer
Statement summary
Two reports say Church criticized Sheeran at a September 20 Cardiff performance in connection with Macklemore’s removal from the U.S. leg of Sheeran’s tour.
“Ed Sheeran, we’re watching you.”
What this label refers to
The reports attribute criticism of Sheeran’s handling of Macklemore’s removal to Church and quote her directing a warning toward him.
Role at the time: Comedian and podcast host, speaking on his own podcast "This Past Weekend"
Statement summary
On his podcast 'This Past Weekend,' Theo Von defended Macklemore after his Gaza remarks and tour removal. Read the quotation and the surrounding podcast context.
Quotation excerpt
“Macklemore lost his job because he spoke up. It feels like this is probably the biggest atrocity we've witnessed in our lifetime on our phones. Seeing the killings, people getting murdered, children getting killed. The Israeli government…”
“Macklemore lost his job because he spoke up. It feels like this is probably the biggest atrocity we've witnessed in our lifetime on our phones. Seeing the killings, people getting murdered, children getting killed. The Israeli government has turned Gaza into a video game basically for killing people, more specifically the killing of children. Every time they're like Hamas is hiding, that's Hamas. It's like that's a 4-month-old.”
What this label refers to
Von frames the removal as retaliation for legitimate advocacy ('lost his job because he spoke up') and goes on to endorse the substance of what Macklemore was speaking about, describing the war's civilian toll in strongly critical terms. This defends Macklemore's speech and, by extension, opposes the removal; it is not merely a characterization dispute, since Von affirmatively agrees with the underlying advocacy.
Role at the time: Musician and headliner of the Loop Tour
Statement summary
Before his September 19 concert in Philadelphia, Sheeran acknowledged making mistakes while handling the week's controversy and apologized. He criticized the idea of venues pre-approving performance content while explaining that he would continue the tour to honor his commitments to fans.
“I am making mistakes" ... "it should never happen in the free world”
What this label refers to
Relative to Macklemore's MetLife speech and removal from the tour, Sheeran criticizes venue control over performers' content, saying such pre-approval should never happen in the free world. The classification records that criticism within the removal dispute. It does not treat the remarks as an express condemnation of Macklemore's speech or a claim that the removal itself was his mistake. Continuing to perform does not expressly endorse venue control, so it does not require a mixed classification.
Role at the time: Singer and Culture Club vocalist, posting on his own X account
Statement summary
Boy George dismissed Macklemore’s address to “my Jewish brothers and sisters” as insincere, citing an allegation about a past costume and salute, and told him to “own your hate.”
“It’s like people saying @macklmoore said ‘my Jewish brothers and sisters’ after dressing as caricature of a Jew and doing a nazi salute? Too late! Own your hate!”
What this label refers to
On Macklemore’s conduct, Boy George condemns him, rejecting as insincere the disclaimer with which Macklemore framed his “Free Palestine” remarks and imputing hatred to him. This is his second recorded position on the case and is consistent in direction with his September 7 statement, while going further: the earlier one criticised the slogan as shallow, this one attacks Macklemore’s motives directly. “Challenged the characterization” does not fit, because he is not disputing how someone else described events but delivering his own verdict on the speaker.
Role at the time: Comedian and host of HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher, speaking on the September 18 episode
Statement summary
On the September 18 episode of HBO’s Real Time, Bill Maher said that Ed Sheeran let Macklemore be his opening act and that Macklemore “goes out there and repeats lies about how Gaza is a genocide,” adding, “Not that they care, but that’s a lie.” Maher said Robert Kraft, who owns the stadium where the concert was to take place, “was understandably offended” and said, “You can’t play my stadium.” He also joked about a costume Macklemore wore in 2014, which the reports describe as a dark wig, beard and fake nose.
Quotation excerpt
“So, Ed Sheeran let Macklemore be his opening act on his tour. And when I say, ‘act,’ he goes out there and repeats lies about how Gaza is a genocide.” … “Not that they care, but that’s a lie.” … “He was understandably offended by this and…”
“So, Ed Sheeran let Macklemore be his opening act on his tour. And when I say, ‘act,’ he goes out there and repeats lies about how Gaza is a genocide.” … “Not that they care, but that’s a lie.” … “He was understandably offended by this and said, ‘You can’t play my stadium.’”
What this label refers to
Maher calls Macklemore’s claim that Gaza is a genocide “a lie” and says Macklemore “repeats lies” on stage, which rejects the substance of the speech. He also says Kraft was “understandably offended” by it, which describes Kraft’s reaction as understandable without stating an opinion on whether the removal was justified. The closest competing label is “Mixed or conditional”, because Maher does not address the removal itself; it loses because his only evaluation of the speech is a rejection, and the Kraft remark reports Kraft’s reaction rather than taking a position that cuts the other way.
Role at the time: Senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, a guest panelist on Overtime with Bill Maher
Statement summary
Answering a question about Trump banning CNN, Politico and MS NOW from the White House, Christopher Rufo said the ban “is a mistake in the same way it was a mistake for Robert Kraft to ban Macklemore.” He went on to say that the press ban gives Trump’s opponents “an easy win” because they can say they stand for free speech and good journalism, and that it is “a mistake strategically” and “on the substance.”
“This is a mistake in the same way it was a mistake for Robert Kraft to ban Macklemore.”
What this label refers to
Rufo mentions Macklemore only as a comparison in an answer about Trump’s ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico, and says it was “a mistake for Robert Kraft to ban Macklemore.” Under this case’s convention, opposing the removal or predicting it will backfire is recorded as “Defended or excused”; that is not an endorsement of the speech, which he does not address in this exchange. The closest competing label is “Mixed or conditional”, but he states no condition and no differing positions on the removal, and his objection is framed strategically, as handing opponents “an easy win.”
Role at the time: Irish singer-songwriter and former support act on the Loop Tour, speaking in a video on his own Instagram account
Statement summary
In an edited Instagram video posted on September 18, Aaron Rowe, who had withdrawn from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour after Macklemore was removed from it, said he does not think Macklemore should have been pulled off the tour and that people were “focusing on the wrong person” in directing criticism at Sheeran. He said they should focus instead on Robert Kraft and on what he called “Zionist lobbies” that are “trying to silence the voices of people who are shouting about genocide.” He also said Sheeran’s statement “could have been a lot better” and that he believes Sheeran “knows that was a mistake.” Rowe’s descriptions of Kraft, of lobbying groups and of Israel’s conduct in Gaza are his own.
Quotation excerpt
“focusing on the wrong person here. All I keep hearing is Ed Sheeran this, Ed Sheeran that” … “really should be focusing on the likes of Robert Kraft.” … “I do think that Macklemore shouldn’t have been pulled off the tour.” … “I haven’t had…”
“focusing on the wrong person here. All I keep hearing is Ed Sheeran this, Ed Sheeran that” … “really should be focusing on the likes of Robert Kraft.” … “I do think that Macklemore shouldn’t have been pulled off the tour.” … “I haven’t had a chance to fucking talk to Ed too much, but I fully believe he knows that was a mistake.”
What this label refers to
On Macklemore’s MetLife message and conduct, Rowe says Macklemore should not have been pulled off the tour, calls the decision a mistake, and describes Israel’s conduct in Gaza as genocide, which is how Macklemore framed his own message. Treating the removal as wrong treats the conduct that drew it as acceptable. Like Mehdi Hasan and Bernie Sanders, Rowe does not separately assess the merits of the speech, but “condemns” would require rejecting it, which he does not do. His criticism of Robert Kraft and of what he calls “Zionist lobbies” is the target of the remark, not the case position. The leniency he extends to Sheeran, whom he calls kind and says makes mistakes like anyone else, mitigates Sheeran’s responsibility without defending the removal itself, so it does not make the statement mixed. The closest competing label is “Mixed or conditional”; it loses because Rowe attaches no condition to his view that the removal was wrong.
Role at the time: Lawyer and political commentator, appearing as a guest on the Even More News podcast
Statement summary
Olayemi Olurin said she believed Macklemore's support for Palestine was genuine, while acknowledging concerns about his 2014 costume. Read her exact words and the surrounding discussion.
Quotation excerpt
“I think that Macklemore’s support of Palestine and his speaking out against the genocide in Gaza is genuine. I do believe that. I don’t believe it’s motivated by anti-Semitism. However, I think it is valid for people to give the side eye ……”
“I think that Macklemore’s support of Palestine and his speaking out against the genocide in Gaza is genuine. I do believe that. I don’t believe it’s motivated by anti-Semitism. However, I think it is valid for people to give the side eye … based on the fact that you’ve done something that could be read as blatantly anti-Semitic before. … So I can understand why, if I’ve seen you quite literally dress up as an anti-Semitic caricature before, I can understand why someone would be skeptical of his speaking out in support of Palestine.”
What this label refers to
On Macklemore’s conduct in giving the speech, Olurin holds two positions that pull against each other. She accepts the speech itself as sincere and not antisemitic, and separately treats the “Free Palestine” remark as legitimate, which would point to “Defended or excused”. But she declines to dismiss the critics, saying their scepticism is valid given the 2014 costume and comparing it to having seen someone dress as a Klansman. That is a substantive reservation about the speaker rather than a polite qualification, which is what makes it mixed. She also separates the two matters expressly, noting the costume is not why he was removed from the tour.
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Role at the time: Host of the podcast Lovett or Leave It, in a scripted comedic monologue
Statement summary
In a satirical monologue, Jon Lovett attacked Robert Kraft’s role in pressing for Macklemore’s removal, speaking as a Jewish American, and separately called Ed Sheeran’s statement “embarrassing.” He treated Macklemore’s “Free Palestine” remark as unobjectionable.
Quotation excerpt
“And as a Jewish American myself, thank you, Robert Kraft. The best way to fight anti-Semitism is for a Jewish billionaire to join forces with a cabal of other wealthy stadium operators to prevent audiences from hearing a pro-Palestinian…”
“And as a Jewish American myself, thank you, Robert Kraft. The best way to fight anti-Semitism is for a Jewish billionaire to join forces with a cabal of other wealthy stadium operators to prevent audiences from hearing a pro-Palestinian statement by a performer largely regarded until now as a brand-safe version of f---ing Eminem.”
What this label refers to
On Macklemore’s conduct in giving the speech, Lovett does not criticise Macklemore at all. His attack is directed at Robert Kraft, whom he holds responsible for pressing for the removal, and at Ed Sheeran, whose statement he calls embarrassing. Treating the “Free Palestine” remark as unobjectionable while condemning those who acted against it is an implicit defence of Macklemore’s conduct, which is how this case classifies statements of that shape. The passage is sarcastic: he thanks Kraft in order to attack him, and the record should not be read as praise.
Role at the time: Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, in an open letter and supporter campaign it sponsored
Statement summary
CAIR-Philadelphia published an open letter and supporter campaign addressed to the Philadelphia Eagles, Eagles Stadium Operator LLC, the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, the City of Philadelphia and Lincoln Financial Group, asking who decided that Macklemore would not perform at the September 19 Ed Sheeran concert at Lincoln Financial Field. The letter frames his removal, which followed his public expressions of solidarity with Palestinians, as a question of free expression and public accountability at a venue on publicly owned land.
Quotation excerpt
“This is about more than one artist or one concert. It raises serious questions about free expression, public accountability, and whether advocacy for Palestinian human rights can become grounds for exclusion from a major venue operating on…”
“This is about more than one artist or one concert. It raises serious questions about free expression, public accountability, and whether advocacy for Palestinian human rights can become grounds for exclusion from a major venue operating on publicly owned property.”
What this label refers to
CAIR-Philadelphia treats the speech as protected advocacy that should not cost an artist a booking, which defends the conduct under scrutiny. The closest competing label is “Explicitly stayed out”, because the letter is framed as a request for information rather than a verdict and does not say in terms that the removal was wrong. That loses because the letter's own framing supplies the position: it characterises the removal as raising "serious questions about free expression" and asks whether Palestinian advocacy can be grounds for exclusion, which presupposes that it should not be.
Role at the time: Head of a Gaza humanitarian organization providing mental-health support to children, quoted by Reuters
Statement summary
Hussein Murtaja, who runs a Gaza humanitarian organization providing mental-health support to children, told Reuters that Macklemore's public solidarity mattered more than the $1 million he donated, saying that when an artist of Macklemore's stature draws more attention to the cause and to a political solution for Gaza, it means a great deal to Gazans.
“When artists of this stature, with this many followers or fans, all come to know more about the cause, and support reaching a political solution, support achieving peace for the people of Gaza... That means a great deal to us.”
What this label refers to
Murtaja praises the value of Macklemore's public stance itself, independent of the donation, which endorses the conduct under scrutiny. There is no competing label to weigh; the statement is a direct, unqualified endorsement of Macklemore speaking out.
Role at the time: Artist in Gaza City, quoted by Reuters
Statement summary
Anne Redwan, a 26-year-old artist in Gaza City, designed and painted a mural with fellow artist Qusai al-Helo depicting Macklemore wrapped in a Palestinian flag, captioned "Thank you for using your voice for Palestine." She told Reuters the mural was meant to thank him and that she and other Gaza artists are waiting for support from anyone who recognizes what she described as the persecution they live under.
Quotation excerpt
“We wanted to send a message to thank rapper Macklemore in this simple way. As an artist living under siege here in Gaza, we are waiting for support from anyone who can see the persecution we live under. We can paint murals bigger than this…”
“We wanted to send a message to thank rapper Macklemore in this simple way. As an artist living under siege here in Gaza, we are waiting for support from anyone who can see the persecution we live under. We can paint murals bigger than this to express our feelings.”
What this label refers to
Redwan's mural and quotation directly praise Macklemore for speaking out, which endorses the conduct under scrutiny. There is no competing label to weigh against here; the statement is unambiguous thanks and endorsement, with no qualification or condition attached.
Role at the time: Musician, interviewed on Democracy Now!
Statement summary
Musician Rhiannon Giddens, interviewed on Democracy Now!, said it was not a surprise that Macklemore spoke in support of Palestinians given his history, and that Ed Sheeran should have anticipated it when he hired him. She said Sheeran has power as a wealthy, famous musician that he is not using, calling his decision to remove Macklemore "folding," and said that for her the decision would not have been difficult. She said Sheeran has the right to make that choice but the public has the right to hold him accountable for it, and argued attention should also go to Robert Kraft as the person who organized the pressure behind the removal.
Quotation excerpt
“What is at issue for me is that when you hire somebody like Macklemore, who's been very pro-Palestinian in his... this is not a surprise, right? It shouldn't be a surprise. [...] I'm still just like, we're like, these people are not gods.…”
“What is at issue for me is that when you hire somebody like Macklemore, who's been very pro-Palestinian in his... this is not a surprise, right? It shouldn't be a surprise. [...] I'm still just like, we're like, these people are not gods. You know what I mean? And they're fallible human beings. And it's like, he hires all these Irish people, and then Macklemore, and then is like, I don't know. It's just like, well, I don't know what he was expecting, you know? [...] As a musician, I'm very interested in that, because I'm like, you have power there. Why are you not using that power, right? He's folding. [...] For me, it wasn't a difficult decision. [...] If it doesn't direct the attention to Robert Kraft and if it doesn't direct the attention to the people who actually have the power who are doing these things, that's -- then it's for naught.”
What this label refers to
Giddens treats the speech itself as unsurprising and unobjectionable given Macklemore's known history, and frames the removal as a failure by Sheeran to use his power responsibly, which is a defence of the conduct under scrutiny and a rejection of the removal. The closest competing label is “Mixed or conditional”, since she says Sheeran "has every right to do whatever he wants." That loses because acknowledging his legal or practical latitude to make the choice is not itself an endorsement of the choice; she immediately adds that the public retains the right to hold him accountable, and the substantive weight of the passage is critical of the decision throughout. This is consistent with how we recorded Philip DeFranco's criticism of Sheeran (1009) on this same case.
Role at the time: Host, The Majority Report
Statement summary
Sam Seder mocked Robert Kraft's antisemitism-monitoring operation as billionaire paranoia, called Kraft "a really, really terrible person" over his IDF donations and Epstein correspondence, and said extreme wealth disconnects people like Kraft and Sheeran from mainstream opinion on the conflict, which he said is why they sided against Macklemore.
“I like that a billionaire's life is so safe and siloed that they have to like spend money to find fear.”
What this label refers to
Seder does not evaluate Macklemore's on-stage conduct at all; his entire response attacks Kraft's character and motives and frames Sheeran's and Kraft's opposition to Macklemore as a product of billionaire disconnection from mainstream opinion, implicitly defending Macklemore's position as the reasonable one.
Role at the time: U.S. Senator (D-PA)
Statement summary
Sen. John Fetterman said Macklemore missed the irony of saying "Free Palestine" at a concert given Hamas's October 7 attack on the Nova music festival, and claimed Macklemore's pledged $1 million in Palestinian relief donations would go directly to Hamas.
“it's all going to Hamas, 100%.”
What this label refers to
Fetterman directly criticizes Macklemore's choice of forum given the Nova festival attack and asserts his relief-fund pledge will fund Hamas rather than aid recipients, an express condemnation of Macklemore's conduct.
Role at the time: Children's educator and video creator, in a public statement reported by Variety
Statement summary
After Macklemore pledged $1 million in tour earnings to six organizations supporting Palestinians and invited others to join, Ms. Rachel said she would match the donation and challenged every wealthy white celebrity to do the same and to speak out against what she called the genocide in Gaza. She said more than 20,000 Palestinian children had been killed and that those with privilege and platforms have a moral obligation to protect children and human rights. On her own account she confirmed she is a Palestine Children's Relief Fund ambassador and would donate to it and other organizations. Her casualty figure and her characterisation of events in Gaza are her own and are not established here.
Quotation excerpt
“I will match Macklemore's donation and I invite every wealthy white celebrity to match it and speak out against the genocide in Gaza. Over 20,000 precious Palestinian children have been killed and children continue to be killed every day.…”
“I will match Macklemore's donation and I invite every wealthy white celebrity to match it and speak out against the genocide in Gaza. Over 20,000 precious Palestinian children have been killed and children continue to be killed every day. We have a moral obligation to use our privilege and platforms to protect children and human rights.”
What this label refers to
Ms. Rachel answers his invitation by matching his donation and urging other public figures to join him and speak out, which endorses both the advocacy that led to his removal and his response to it. That places her with the performers and public figures who defended the speech, and is consistent with her earlier record in this case criticising Sheeran for dropping him (568). The closest competing label is “Mixed or conditional”; it loses because she attaches no condition and takes no position against any part of the conduct under scrutiny.
Role at the time: Philadelphia community organization, in a joint statement with Shut Down D&Z
Statement summary
The Philly Palestine Coalition and Shut Down D&Z announced a protest outside Sheeran's Philadelphia show, calling his decision to drop Macklemore caving to "Zionist threats."
Quotation excerpt
“Free Palestine is a call to direct action. On Saturday, we take to the streets to return the conversation to Palestine, and return Philadelphia to action. Ed Sheeran plays at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, his first show after caving…”
“Free Palestine is a call to direct action. On Saturday, we take to the streets to return the conversation to Palestine, and return Philadelphia to action. Ed Sheeran plays at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, his first show after caving to Zionist threats and dropping Macklemore as his opening act.”
What this label refers to
On Macklemore's MetLife message, the groups defend his conduct as legitimate advocacy and frame Sheeran's decision to drop him as capitulation to pressure rather than a justified response to anything objectionable in the message itself -- an implicit defense of Macklemore, not a condemnation of him.
Role at the time: Actor, "Hacks"
Statement summary
"Hacks" star Hannah Einbinder mocked Ed Sheeran on Instagram over his handling of Macklemore's tour removal, joking "as a ginger" that she hoped he'd get a bad sunburn.
“Ed Sheeran i say this as a ginger. i hope you get a REALLY bad sun burn the kind on the back of your entire body where it hurts to lie down or walk or sit.”
What this label refers to
Einbinder mocks Sheeran over his handling of Macklemore's removal, implicitly siding with Macklemore in the underlying dispute.
Role at the time: Actor, "Wicked"
Statement summary
"Wicked" actor Marissa Bode criticized Ed Sheeran for not defending Macklemore, saying she has "a spine" and endorsing his "Free Palestine" message.
“Ed Sheeran, my legs may not work like they used to before, but at least I have a f***ing spine. Free Palestine.”
What this label refers to
Bode criticizes Sheeran for not defending Macklemore and explicitly endorses Macklemore's "Free Palestine" message, defending his conduct in the underlying dispute.
Role at the time: Litigation director, Palestine Legal
Statement summary
Radhika Sainath, litigation director at Palestine Legal, told Al Jazeera she found it highly unlikely that the stadium owner had a late power to veto tour openers who expressed support for Palestinian human rights. She said Sheeran would have kept the moral high ground, and likely had a strong case for damages, had he fought back instead of giving in.
Quotation excerpt
“I haven’t seen the terms of his contract, but I find it highly unlikely that the stadium owner retained an eleventh-hour power to veto tour openers expressing support for Palestinian human rights. If Sheeran had fought back instead of…”
“I haven’t seen the terms of his contract, but I find it highly unlikely that the stadium owner retained an eleventh-hour power to veto tour openers expressing support for Palestinian human rights. If Sheeran had fought back instead of giving in to censorship and bullying, not only would he have retained the moral high ground with his millions of fans – and been on the right side of history – he would likely have a strong case for hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages for whatever losses he incurred over Kraft’s threatened cancellation”
What this label refers to
The case looks at Macklemore's Free Palestine speech and his removal from the tour. Sainath doubts that a stadium owner could veto an opener for expressing support for Palestinian human rights and describes Sheeran's response as giving in to censorship and bullying. That sides with Macklemore against the removal, so we labeled it Defended or excused, the same label we gave other statements that back Macklemore.
American rapper and songwriter
1 case and 5 statements
Ari Emanuel is an entertainment executive. He is executive chair and chief executive officer of TKO Group Holdings and executive chairman of WME Group, and he founded the events and experiences company MARI. He was chief executive officer of Endeavor from 2017 to 2025.
1 case and 1 statement
Welsh singer, songwriter, actor, and activist.
1 case and 1 statement
Theo Von is a stand-up comedian and podcast host based in Nashville, Tennessee, known for hosting the podcast "This Past Weekend."
1 case and 1 statement
English singer-songwriter
1 case and 2 statements
Boy George is a British singer and Culture Club's lead vocalist.
2 cases and 5 statements
Christopher Rufo is an American conservative writer, filmmaker and political activist. He is a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and a contributing editor of City Journal, and the author of America’s Cultural Revolution. His work has focused on critical race theory, gender ideology, homelessness, addiction, crime and urban decline.
1 case and 1 statement
Olayemi Olurin is a lawyer, political commentator and writer who founded Olurinatti Media and hosts the Olurinatti podcast. She previously worked as a public defender in New York City. She was born and raised in Nassau, The Bahamas, and earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Ohio University and a law degree from St. John's University. Her media work includes long-form video essays and documentary-style productions, alongside film and television criticism. Her undergraduate studies also included a minor in African American studies.
1 case and 1 statement
Hussein Murtaja runs a Gaza humanitarian organization that provides mental health support to children.
1 case and 1 statement
Anne Redwan is a 26-year-old artist in Gaza City who, with fellow artist Qusai al-Helo, painted a mural honoring Macklemore after his removal from Ed Sheeran's U.S. tour.
1 case and 1 statement
Rhiannon Giddens is an American folk and roots musician, singer and songwriter. She won a Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2023 as co-composer of the opera Omar, and previously co-founded the string band Carolina Chocolate Drops.
1 case and 1 statement
Irish singer-songwriter.
1 case and 2 statements
