Rapper Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran's tour after declaring "Free Palestine" during opening performances in early September. Billionaire stadium owner Robert Kraft, who owns the New England Patriots, reportedly pressured venues to cancel Macklemore's appearances, citing concerns about the discourse being harmful to Jewish people. This incident has sparked a broader debate about power and free speech, with U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez using it in a fundraising memo to argue that wealthy individuals are silencing dissent and controlling public discourse.

Macklemore made his statements on 4 September whilst opening for Sheeran's tour in New Jersey, calling for freedom in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and other territories. Despite clarifying that his comments targeted the Israeli government rather than Judaism, he was subsequently dropped from the tour following backlash from pro-Israel groups and fellow artists. Kraft, who warned that other stadium owners would follow suit, later told NBC News that he welcomed dialogue with Macklemore and pledged $2 million to Palestinian aid organisations. Macklemore had previously donated $1 million to Palestinian charities, whilst other figures including Colin Kaepernick and Lewis Hamilton expressed solidarity with the rapper.