Ed Sheeran tour faces fallout after Macklemore dropped over anti-Israel comments
Tour fallout and planned protests hit Ed Sheeran after rapper Macklemore was dropped from his upcoming concert lineup following anti-Israel comments. Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy defends the decision, stating fans did not pay to hear political rants. Senior correspondent Eric Shawn joins Harris Faulkner to discuss the controversy ahead of the September 19th show.
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Comedian Bill Maher doubled down on his criticism of rapper Macklemore on Friday, reviving a 12-year-old costume controversy and suggesting that “everyone is just really so stupid.”
During Friday’s episode of HBO’s “Real Time,” Maher continued his criticism of Macklemore, 43, after the “Thrift Shop” singer was dropped from Ed Sheeran’s “Loop Tour” following a string of anti-Israel remarks.
“Everyone’s paying more. Macklemore had to pay an arm and a leg for a giant fake prosthetic ‘Jew’ nose,” Maher said, referring to an onstage costume worn by Macklemore in 2014 in which he wore a dark wig, beard and fake nose.
Shortly after the incident, Macklemore issued an apology on his website, saying, “Family, friends and fans alike who know me well, know that I’m absolutely not the person described in certain headlines today. There is no worse feeling than being misunderstood, especially when people are hurt or offended.”
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A costumed Macklemore performs at the opening night of the “Spectacle: The Music Video” exhibition at EMP Museum on May 16, 2014, in Seattle, Wash. (FilmMagic via Getty Images)
Maher continued discussing the controversy, pointing to Macklemore’s previous comments about the Israel-Hamas war.
A costumed Macklemore performs at the opening night of the “Spectacle: The Music Video” exhibition at EMP Museum in Seattle on May 16, 2014. (FilmMagic via Getty Images)
“Apparently, [Ed Sheeran] is old buddies with Macklemore from 15 years ago, back when Macklemore had his one hit,” he continued. “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.”
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He added, “Not that they care, but that’s a lie.”
“Everyone is just really so stupid,” he added. “Listen to this, AOC was asked yesterday would she change the channel on the radio if Ed Sheeran came on. And she said, ‘Yes. Yes, I would.’ You know, AOC? Way ahead of you. I’ve always changed the channel when [Ed Sheeran comes on].”
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Bill Maher attends the Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Mark Guiducci at Los Angeles County Museum of Art on March 15, 2026, in Los Angeles, Calif. (FilmMagic via Getty Images)
The “Real Time” host then pivoted to the dispute between Macklemore and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. Macklemore said in an Instagram post that Sheeran told him Kraft would not allow the rapper to perform at Gillette Stadium, which the Kraft Group owns.
“Ok, so Robert Kraft, who is a rich guy owns the Patriots, owns the stadium where this concert was about to take place, he was understandably offended by this and said, ‘You can’t play my stadium,’” Maher said. “So, now Macklemore’s fans hate Ed Sheeran. Ed Sheeran’s own band won’t play with him. And Ed Sheeran needs a new opening act.”
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Ed Sheeran and Macklemore attend the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York City, on Aug. 25, 2013. (Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
Later in the show, Maher returned to his criticism of musicians using concerts to promote political causes.
“But I think just any kind of echo of that old cancel culture from the past is going to be a loser in today’s environment,” Maher said. “Is anyone looking for any of this at a concert? I mean, do I really need a lecture on politics of any stripe right when the molly is kicking in? It’s so arrogant on both their sides.”
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The comments come on the heels of the highly publicized Sheeran-Macklemore story, in which Macklemore told the crowd at a New Jersey show that, “A big part of the reason why I wanted to do this tour in the first place is so that I could stand up in stadiums like this and say two words that are very, very dear to my heart: Free Palestine.”
After being dropped from the tour, Macklemore donated $1 million dollars to Palestinian aid efforts — prompting Kraft to make a $2 million donation to Gaza after the rapper called on him to match the amount.
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Maher’s comments drew criticism from political commentator Kaivan Shroff, who told Fox News Digital the comedian’s approach of blasting musicians for sharing their political opinions has an underlying tone of hypocrisy.
WATCH: Why Macklemore Got Kicked Off Ed Sheeran’s Tour
“Maher’s whole premise falls apart the minute he starts mocking celebrities for having political opinions. Bill Maher is a celebrity with an opinion on virtually everything. He can think Macklemore is wrong, AOC is ridiculous or Ed Sheeran is overrated. But pretending the problem is that entertainers are weighing in on politics is absurd when that has been his own business model for decades,” Shroff said.
The former Hillary Clinton campaign staffer then pointed to Maher’s rehashing of Macklemore’s 2014 costume incident.
“The Macklemore costume is relevant, especially given the subject matter. But Maher takes that legitimate point and buries it under a bunch of cultural sniping,” Shroff told Fox News Digital.
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“AOC said she would change the station because of Sheeran’s involvement in the controversy, Maher jokes that he changes it because he dislikes Sheeran’s music. That may get a laugh, but it does not actually respond to her position in any meaningful way. The same is true of calling Macklemore a one-hit wonder. None of that tells us whether the underlying argument is right or wrong.”
As the fallout continues, Axia Public Relations CEO Jason Mudd said Sheeran should make a decision and stick to it.
“Every hour of silence gives someone else the opportunity to control the narrative,” Mudd told Fox News Digital, adding, “Strong crisis decisions share three things: They’re fast. They’re clear. They’re final. Sheeran doesn’t need a new decision. He needs one decision he can stand behind.”
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“I’ll stick to Sheeran’s own communication strategy here, not the politics behind it,” Mudd continued. “If Sheeran were my client, I’d advise him to pick a direction and hold it. One clear explanation is enough. Circling back to it in public is a common mistake. It’s perceived as doubt and invites more discussion and debate.”
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Fox News Digital reached out to Macklemore’s representatives for comment. Fox News Digital also reached out to Sheeran’s representatives as well.
