Robert Kraft Responds to Macklemore, Says Ed Sheeran Already Asked Him to ‘Match’ $2M Donation

Not long after Macklemore challenged Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft to match his $1 million donation to organizations supporting the Palestinian people, the billionaire has responded by saying Ed Sheeran previously asked him to “commit” $2 million “to match his donation to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis.” “I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people,” Kraft wrote in a statement released Wednesday (Sept.

16).

“I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting.

Earlier today, before Macklemore challenged me to match his donation, Ed called me and asked me to commit $2 million to match his donation to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis.

Ed now plans to reach out to other venue owners and our goal is to continue to work together to build bridges.

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For his part, Macklemore said he would donate the $1 million, representing his net earnings from Sheeran’s tour, to six organizations supporting Palestinians: Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, HEAL Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, the UNRWA USA National Committee and Anera.

A representative for Kraft’s company, The Kraft Group, did not immediately return Billboard ‘s request for clarification on whether, and where, Kraft would be committing those funds.

Macklemore’s challenge followed the rapper’s removal as an opener on Sheeran’s Loop Tour in the U.S. due to statements he made in support of Palestinians at Sheeran’s tour stops at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on Sept.

4 and 5.

His comments, which included the phrase “Free Palestine,” were accompanied by a performance of Macklemore’s 2024 track “Hind’s Hall” — which accuses the Israeli government of committing genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza — alongside images of the violence.

Notably, the United Nations has also classified Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide, though Israel and its close ally the U.S. have denied this.