Ed Sheeran blames promoter for Macklemore’s removal over Free Palestine remark

Pop star Ed Sheeran has broken his silence on rapper Macklemore’s removal from his US tour, blaming the promoter for dropping him after his pro-Palestine remarks on stage, India Today reports.

Sheeran addressed the controversy in a six-slide Instagram statement on Tuesday, saying he wanted to “set out some facts” about the decision.

He explained that several US venues had indicated they would not host the concerts if Macklemore remained on the bill, prompting the promoter to remove him.

“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” Sheeran said, adding that he spent the week trying to change the outcome but failed.

The fallout has since widened, with all four remaining supporting acts quitting the Loop Tour in solidarity with Macklemore, turning the episode into a broader clash over artistic speech and venue pressure that now threatens to overshadow the tour itself.