Kathy Griffin criticized Ed Sheeran for not supporting hip-hop artist Macklemore after he was barred from performing at Gillette Stadium owned by Robert Kraft due to his pro-Palestine stance. The incident occurred when Macklemore was removed from the rest of Sheeran's tour following controversial remarks about Israel, including a song advocating "Free Palestine." Griffin suggested that Sheeran could have ignored Kraft’s influence and continued to feature Macklemore in concerts despite pressure from stadium owners and pro-Israel groups.
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Story summary
Comedian Kathy Griffin criticized singer Ed Sheeran for not standing up to billionaire Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium, when Macklemore was barred from performing as the opening act in Sheeran's tour over his "Free Palestine" advocacy. In an interview with Queerty on September 27th, Griffin suggested Sheeran should have told Kraft to “go f--- yourself.” Macklemore had been pulled from the rest of Sheeran’s tour after performing an anti-Israel song and pushing for Palestinian freedom during shows. While Sheeran claims the decision was made by venue owners and concert promoters rather than himself, Griffin argued that Sheeran could have supported Macklemore publicly. Griffin stated, "I wish that Ed Sheeran had not taken the advice of the ones who told him to fire Macklemore," suggesting Sheeran should have found alternative venues for Macklemore's performances.
Written for “Kathy Griffin Criticizes Ed Sheeran” on 2026-10-05,
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Comedian Kathy Griffin said on Wednesday that singer Ed Sheeran should have told Gillette Stadium owner and billionaire Robert Kraft to "go f--- yourself" after barring Macklemore from performing as his opening act over his "Free Palestine" stunt.
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Sheeran → say → stunt
In an interview with Queerty, Griffin commented on Macklemore being pulled from the rest of Sheeran's tour earlier this month after he repeatedly pushed for a "Free Palestine" during his act and performed his anti-Israel song "Hind's Hall."
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he → comment → song
The decision came after Kraft barred Macklemore from performing at Gillette Stadium.
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Kraft → come → Stadium
Though Sheeran has said that the decision ultimately came from the concert promoter and venues rather than him, Griffin argued that Sheeran could have, and should have, defended Macklemore at the time.
uncertain
Sheeran → say → time
"I wish that Ed Sheeran had not taken the advice of the ones who told him to fire Macklemore," Griffin said.
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Griffin → wish → Macklemore
"Let’s not be listening to f------ Robert Kraft.
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’s → let → Kraft
When Robert Kraft says I’ve called all the other stadium owners and they’re not gonna let you do the show with Macklemore either, Ed Sheeran should’ve said go f--- yourself, I can go to Brazil and perform for 250,000 people.
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I → say → people
He had more options."
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He → have → options
Griffin added that Macklemore's comments were protected under the First Amendment and professed her own support for a "Free Palestine."
"I don't think 'Free Palestine' is such a controversial thing to say because that's a genuine genocide that is happening there, in my opinion.
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that → add → opinion
I don't want Israel to be eradicated.
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Israel → want → ?
I love the Israeli people as I hope the rest of the world likes the American people but hates [President Donald] Trump and his cabinet and our current SCOTUS.
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rest → love → Trump
So I can't stand [Israeli Prime Minister] Bibi Netanyahu.
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I → stand → Netanyahu
I think he's ruined the Knesset which is their Congress.
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which → think → Knesset
But I certainly don't have a beef with the Jewish people or the Palestinian people.
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I → have → people
They're both trying to survive.
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They → try → ?
I personally think that Palestine should be its own country," Griffin said.
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Griffin → think → ?
Fox News Digital reached out to Sheeran's and Kraft's representatives for comment.
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Digital → reach → comment
In response to being removed from Sheeran's tour, Macklemore announced on Thursday that he would be launching his own "Free Palestine Tour."
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he → remove → Tour
As of now, he has three shows scheduled: in Dublin on Oct. 26, in Paris on Oct. 29 and in London on Oct. 30.
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shows → have → Oct.
Though Macklemore has received support from progressive figures for his political actions, the singer has also faced criticism from pro-Israel organizations who accused him of supporting antisemitism.
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who → receive → antisemitism
The Israeli-American Council (IAC) released a statement to Fox News Digital supporting Kraft's actions pushing back against Macklemore.
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Council → release → Macklemore
"The Israeli-American Council (IAC) applauds Robert Kraft and his fellow stadium owners for their moral leadership in expelling rapper Macklemore from the concert stage rather than allow him to promote antisemitism," the statement read.
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statement → applaud → antisemitism
It added, "Robert Kraft's moral leadership establishes what should be an obvious principle: a performer who traffics in antisemitism should not be given a stage.
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who → add → stage
As a result, Macklemore will no longer be allowed to subject audiences to his hateful rants.
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Macklemore → allow → rants
The IAC salutes and thanks Mr. Kraft for setting an example for all to follow."
Fox News' Emily Trainham contributed to this report.
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Trainham → salute → report
The Aporia
