Journalist Calls Ed Sheeran a ‘Gutless Coward’ After Macklemore Was Removed from His Tour

Ed Sheeran is facing growing criticism in Ireland and elsewhere after Macklemore was removed from the remaining U.S. dates of Sheeran’s Loop Tour following the rapper’s pro-Palestinian comments during concerts in New Jersey. The controversy has drawn criticism from Irish politicians, musicians, broadcasters and cultural figures, while an Irish Mirror columnist described Sheeran as a “gutless coward” and argued that he should not feel welcome in Ireland. Sheeran has said the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the tour’s promoters and venues rather than by him personally.

Macklemore Spoke Out During the New Jersey Shows

Macklemore used his opening performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sept. 4 and 5 to speak about the Israel-Gaza conflict and repeatedly call for a “Free Palestine.” He also performed “Hind’s Hall,” a song inspired by the death of five-year-old Hind Rajab in Gaza, while images of destruction were displayed behind him. Macklemore also addressed Jewish members of the audience and said his criticism of Israel was not intended as criticism of Jewish people.

His Comments Triggered a Fight Over the Tour

Macklemore was scheduled to appear at eight of the remaining 10 U.S. shows on Sheeran’s stadium tour, but the promoter later announced that he would no longer perform at those dates. The Messina Touring Group said venues had informed the promoter that they would not allow concerts to proceed with Macklemore on the lineup, warning that the broader tour could be affected. Macklemore said Sheeran told him that Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium, had objected to his participation and that other stadium owners had also pressured the tour.

Robert Kraft Gave a Different Explanation

Kraft confirmed that he opposed Macklemore appearing at Gillette Stadium, but said his objection was not simply to the rapper’s support for Palestinians. Kraft cited what he described as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that he said had been deeply offensive to the Jewish community. Macklemore has rejected the characterization of his current comments as antisemitic and has continued to distinguish criticism of Israeli government policies from criticism of Jewish people.

Sheeran Said He Did Not Make the Decision

Sheeran said in a statement that Macklemore’s removal was the promoter’s decision rather than his own, explaining that he had spoken with venues in an effort to find a solution. He also said he was appalled by the suffering connected to the Israel-Palestine conflict and that he wanted his concerts to remain places of unity, joy and escapism rather than political forums. His response did not end the criticism, with some artists and fans arguing that remaining on the tour after Macklemore’s removal still placed Sheeran at the center of the dispute.

Several Irish Artists Walked Away

The dispute became especially significant in Ireland after Irish singer Aaron Rowe and the folk group Beoga withdrew from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore. Beoga had also served as part of Sheeran’s touring band and said it could not remain involved after what its members viewed as the silencing of Macklemore’s pro-Palestinian message. Other artists and cultural figures, including Kneecap and actor Liam Cunningham, also publicly expressed support for Macklemore or criticism of Sheeran’s handling of the dispute.

Irish Politicians Also Criticized Sheeran

The backlash was not limited to musicians, with Irish politicians including Labour TD Alan Kelly and People Before Profit’s Ruth Coppinger publicly criticizing Sheeran’s position. Kelly accused Sheeran of “throwing his friend under the bus in favor of commerciality,” while Coppinger described the situation as a political decision that had produced a backlash. These are political criticisms of Sheeran’s actions, while Sheeran has maintained that the decision was made by the tour’s promoters and venues rather than by him.

The “Gutless Coward” Comment Came From an Irish Columnist

The phrase “gutless coward” in the story’s headline comes from an Irish Mirror opinion piece that sharply criticized Sheeran following Macklemore’s removal. The columnist also argued that Sheeran should not feel welcome in Ireland again, reflecting one particularly strong reaction rather than an official position shared by Ireland as a whole. Other Irish figures have criticized Sheeran more moderately, while some commentators have defended his decision to keep politics out of his performances.

Sheeran’s Controversy Has Continued Beyond Ireland

The dispute has also affected the wider U.S. tour, with several opening acts and members of Sheeran’s band leaving in solidarity with Macklemore. The tour resumed in Philadelphia on Sept. 19 without Macklemore, and Sheeran addressed the controversy from the stage, apologizing for mistakes and saying he had faced difficult decisions. His remarks included sympathy for Jewish people and Palestinians and a description of the suffering in Gaza as catastrophic and unjustifiable.

The Dispute Is Now About More Than One Concert

What began with comments during two New Jersey concerts has developed into a wider debate involving free expression, concert venues, political speech and the responsibilities of artists performing before large audiences. Macklemore has continued to defend his decision to speak about Palestine, while Sheeran has said there are different ways to pursue peace and that his shows are intended to remain outside political debate. The strong reaction from some Irish figures, alongside support for Sheeran from other commentators, shows how sharply divided public responses have become around the dispute.