Macklemore made pro-Palestinian remarks during his opening set at Ed Sheeran's MetLife Stadium concert, prompting backlash and a petition for his removal from the tour.
Rapper Macklemore said "Free Palestine" and performed his protest song "Hind's Hall" during his opening set for Ed Sheeran at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on September 5, 2026. The Israeli-American Council launched a petition calling on Ed Sheeran to remove Macklemore from the remaining dates of the Loop Tour. Pop star Pink, who is Jewish, reposted a StopAntisemitism post criticizing the performance and later issued a lengthy statement explaining her stance. Macklemore defended his comments in subsequent posts and performances.
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Divergence score
This event sits in the top 8% of divergence this week. 7 outlets covered it, splitting into 7 framing camps across 3 bias groups.
7 camps
3 bias groups
The spectrum · how 7 outlets placed this story
LeftCenterRight
Times of Israel
Washington Times
Daily Wire
Breitbart
CBS News
Al Jazeera
NY Post
Supportive of action
Neutral
Dismissive
Critical
Alarmist
International angle
Widest split · the two outlets furthest apart, and who published first
Furthest apart on this story
Daily Wire
Forgotten Rapper Doubles Down After Hijacking Ed Sheeran Concert With Islamist Propaganda
Macklemore as irrelevant extremist hijacking concert · negative
CBS News
Controversy swirls following pro-Palestinian comments made by Macklemore at MetLife Stadium before Ed Sheeran concert
Straightforward controversy report · neutral
First to report
- Times of Israelfirst
- NY Post+3.7 h
- CBS News+37.2 h
- Daily Wire+47.9 h
- Al Jazeera+50.4 h
- Breitbart+50.4 h
- Washington Times+78.5 h
By each outlet's earliest publish time in this story. Feeds that index slowly can appear later than they printed.
The split, in one line
Right-leaning outlets frame Macklemore's set as anti-Israel propaganda and pro-Hamas rhetoric; Al Jazeera centers Macklemore defending Free Palestine against pro-Israel groups; Pink's nuanced statement splits the difference, condemning targeting of Jewish attendees while refusing to oppose "Free Palestine."
How each outlet covered it
Three ways of telling it
The center isn't splitting the difference here: it's making its own case, alongside the flanks.
Divergence37
THE LEFT
“Controversy swirls following pro-Palestinian comments made by Macklemore at MetLife Stadium before Ed Sheeran concert”CBS CBS News LEFT-CENTER
THE CENTER
“Macklemore defends 'Free Palestine' call after Ed Sheeran concert backlash”AJ Al Jazeera INTERNATIONAL
THE RIGHT
“Woke rapper Macklemore sparks fury over anti-Israel rant at Ed Sheeran's MetLife show”NYP NY Post RIGHT
+Hide the full sourcingSee how all 7 outlets put it
RIGHT4
WTWashington Times Pink says Macklemore's onstage remarks, not 'Free Palestine,' prompted her post 11h ago DWDaily Wire Forgotten Rapper Doubles Down After Hijacking Ed Sheeran Concert With Islamist Propaganda 4d ago BBreitbart Pop Star Pink Shares Post Calling Out Macklemore's Anti-Israel Rant as Backlash Against Rapper Grows 4d ago NYPNY Post Woke rapper Macklemore sparks fury over anti-Israel rant at Ed Sheeran's MetLife show 6d ago 10 tracked claims across 7 outlets
Fact ledger
All10Claimed1Corroborated9
1/7
Claimed
Macklemore has been seen screaming "Fuck America" during performances.
Corroborated
Disputed
9 more tracked claimsSign up free to see the full ledger