British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran clarified that the decision to remove American rapper Macklemore from his U.S. tour was made by the tour promoter and not by him personally. The announcement comes following Macklemore’s controversial statements during two performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where he voiced support for the “Free Palestine” movement and displayed imagery related to the Gaza conflict.

Macklemore, whose legal name is Benjamin Haggerty, faced backlash from some fans who were displeased with the political content introduced during the concerts. The rapper’s actions led to his removal as a supporting act for Sheeran’s ongoing tour.

In a statement, Sheeran, 35, emphasized his commitment to fans, saying he would not let them down or abandon the touring crew and other supporting performers. He described the decision to drop Macklemore as the promoter’s, adding that he had been actively communicating with venues throughout the week in an effort to mediate the situation.

Sheeran further noted that attendees of his shows generally do not expect them to serve as platforms for political discussions, underscoring his intention to focus on the music rather than political issues during his performances. The artist is currently in the midst of this U.S. tour, which has drawn large crowds across various cities.

The controversy highlights the ongoing tensions that can arise when entertainers address geopolitical topics in high-profile venues, with promoters and artists needing to balance freedom of expression with audience expectations and event logistics.