ON
← Back to feed
Pink calls out Macklemore over pro-Palestine stunt at concert as rapper breaks silence amid calls for him to be axed from Ed Sheeran's tour
United Kingdom🏛️ PoliticsCenter9/8/2026

Pink calls out Macklemore over pro-Palestine stunt at concert as rapper breaks silence amid calls for him to be axed from Ed Sheeran's tour

Pink publicly criticized Macklemore after his pro-Palestine remarks during a concert in New Jersey, where he performed as an opening act for Ed Sheeran's tour. During the show, Macklemore wore a keffiyeh, called for 'Free Palestine,' and accused Israel of a 'false genocide,' prompting backlash from some audience members. Pink shared a post from StopAntisemitism condemning the incident, arguing that Jewish fans had attended to see Sheeran perform, not engage in political activism. In response, Macklemore posted a clip of his speech defending his stance, emphasizing equality and solidarity with Palestinian causes. The situation has sparked debate over whether such political expressions are appropriate at mainstream concerts.

Pink has publicly criticized rapper Macklemore following his pro-Palestine statements made during his opening act performances at Ed Sheeran's Loop tour in New Jersey. The incident occurred on Friday and Saturday at MetLife Stadium, where Macklemore expressed support for Palestinians and criticized Israel. Pink, 47, reposted an Instagram Story from the group StopAntisemitism, which condemned Macklemore's performance and requested an apology to the concert attendees. The post highlighted concerns that Jewish fans attended the event expecting to see Ed Sheeran perform, not to be exposed to what was described as "anti-Israel propaganda." Macklemore responded to the backlash by reaffirming his stance on Monday, sharing a clip of his speech from MetLife Stadium. In the caption, he stated, "Wanting all humans to be treated equal should never be controversial." During his performance, he emphasized the importance of advocating for peace and equality, saying, "My message is for peace. Love. For all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect, and equality." Macklemore's performance included the song "Hind's Hall," which was inspired by the bravery of Columbia University students who led an encampment movement that drew global attention. He acknowledged the risks taken by these students and thanked them for their efforts. Additionally, he addressed the Jewish community, asserting that criticism of Israel does not equate to criticism of Jewish individuals. The Israeli-American Council (IAC) has initiated a petition urging Ed Sheeran and the tour organizers to remove Macklemore from the remaining tour dates. This comes amid growing pressure from pro-Israel groups who view Macklemore's actions as promoting a one-sided political agenda. Some fans are now calling for Macklemore to be excluded from the remaining U.S. dates of the tour. Macklemore's remarks took place as images related to Gaza were displayed on stadium screens, a decision that some critics argue transformed a pop concert into a political gathering. Supporters of Macklemore argue that he has consistently spoken out about the situation in Gaza and is merely exercising his right to address issues he cares about through his art. The rapper has previously expressed support for Palestinians and criticized Israel's actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. His latest performance has reignited discussions about how artists should handle politically charged topics, especially in a highly divided environment surrounding the Israel-Gaza conflict. Ed Sheeran's team has not yet commented on the situation, though the ongoing debate highlights the complexities of balancing artistic expression with audience expectations in a polarized climate.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 2 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

Go to the primary sources (1)

The official sources this coverage is built on. Read them directly to bypass framing.

2 reports

Daily Mail logoDaily MailIndependentConservativeFactual 95Objective 609/8/2026
Pink calls out Macklemore over pro-Palestine stunt at concert as rapper breaks silence amid calls for him to be axed from Ed Sheeran's tour

Pink publicly criticized Macklemore after his pro-Palestine remarks during a concert in New Jersey, where he performed as an opening act for Ed Sheeran's tour. During the show, Macklemore wore a keffiyeh, called for 'Free Palestine,' and accused Israel of a 'false genocide,' prompting backlash from some audience members. Pink shared a post from StopAntisemitism condemning the incident, arguing that Jewish fans had attended to see Sheeran perform, not engage in political activism. In response, Macklemore posted a clip of his speech defending his stance, emphasizing equality and solidarity with Palestinian causes. The situation has sparked debate over whether such political expressions are appropriate at mainstream concerts.

Bias read (Conservative): The article frames the controversy through the lens of Jewish concerns and the expectation that concerts should focus on music rather than politics. It emphasizes the backlash against Macklemore's pro-Palestine stance, portraying it as disruptive and inappropriate. The language used ('ambushed,' '政治

Why factuality (95): The article accurately reports that Pink shared a StopAntisemitism post criticizing Macklemore's pro-Palestine performance at Ed Sheeran's concert. It also mentions Macklemore's response and the lack of official comments from involved parties. The details align with the cross-source consensus, thoug

Why objectivity (60): The article exhibits clear bias by using emotionally charged language such as 'anti-Israel propaganda' and 'political nightmare against the Jewish state.' It frames Macklemore's actions negatively without presenting counterpoints, showing a strong pro-Israeli stance.

Middle East Eye logoMiddle East EyeIndependentProgressiveFactual 90Objective 759/7/2026
Macklemore calls for a ‘free Palestine’ during Ed Sheeran shows, prompting praise and backlash

American rapper Macklemore expressed support for Palestine during his opening act performances for Ed Sheeran's Loop tour in the United States, showing footage from Gaza and the occupied West Bank. His performance included the song 'Hind’s Hall,' a pro-Palestine anthem inspired by the death of five-year-old Hind Rajab, who was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza in 2024. The move drew both praise from rights advocates and social media users, as well as backlash from pro-Israel groups. The event took place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where over 80,000 people attended. The incident highlights ongoing tensions around Palestinian advocacy in mainstream music events.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames Macklemore's pro-Palestine stance as a positive action supported by rights advocates, while noting opposition from pro-Israel groups. The emphasis on Palestinian suffering and the naming of a child killed by Israeli forces suggests a left-leaning perspective. The article does not,

Why factuality (90): The article provides accurate information about Macklemore's pro-Palestine statements during his performance at Ed Sheeran's concerts, including specific songs and locations. It mentions the context of the performance and the mixed reactions from different groups. However, it lacks some specific det

Why objectivity (75): The article maintains a relatively neutral tone by mentioning both the praise and backlash received by Macklemore. While it highlights the pro-Palestine message, it does not take a clear stance on the issue itself, focusing more on reporting the event and reactions rather than advocating for either

How each side covered it

The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.

How each side covered it

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Covered around the world

The same event as reported in other countries.

Covered around the world

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Claims check

Key factual claims, and how many sources assert vs dispute each.

Claims check

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.

Become a Supporter

Related stories