# Jack Antonoff to Ed Sheeran: “We all live in a world where billionaires are constantly telling us what to do – so stand the fuck up”

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/jack-antonoff-to-ed-sheeran-we-all-live-in-a-world-where-billionaires-are-constantly-telling-us-what-to-do-so-stand-the-fuck-up/
- Published: 2026-10-28T10:55:57+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-28T11:41:40+00:00
- Original publisher: NME
- Original article: https://www.nme.com/news/music/jack-antonoff-criticises-ed-sheeran-amid-macklemore-controversy-stand-the-fuck-up-3974423?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=jack-antonoff-criticises-ed-sheeran-amid-macklemore-controversy-stand-the-fuck-up
- Topics: Americas, Entertainment, Music, World

## Key points

- Antonoff says Sheeran should have stood up for Macklemore.
- Macklemore was removed after calling for a “free Palestine”.
- He donated his $1 million tour earnings to six organisations.

## Summary

Jack Antonoff criticised Ed Sheeran’s response after Macklemore was removed as a support act from Sheeran’s Loop Tour following a speech calling for a “free Palestine”. Antonoff said Sheeran should have defended Macklemore and challenged the influence of wealthy figures over the tour, arguing that the dispute raised broader questions about who gets to shape what artists can say and do.

Macklemore’s removal followed comments by stadium owner Robert Kraft, who called the speech deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community, and further criticism from Pink and the Israeli American Council. Sheeran said he was not involved in the decision and was appalled by the Israel-Palestine conflict and suffering on both sides; he later apologised for “making mistakes”. Macklemore donated his $1 million tour earnings to six organisations supporting Palestinians and began a separate Free Palestine Tour.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.