Formula 1
Lewis Hamilton Backs Macklemore After Ed Sheeran Tour Removal Over Palestine Remarks
The Formula 1 champion is not alone. Kehlani, Zara Larsson, Greta Thunberg, Roger Waters, Rachel Chinouriri, Bob Vylan and Kneecap have also publicly supported Macklemore, while several celebrities have interacted positively with his social-media post.
Lewis Hamilton has entered the explosive Ed Sheeran-Macklemore tour controversy, publicly backing the rapper after Sheeran removed him from his U.S. tour over pro-Palestinian remarks.
The seven-time Formula 1 world champion showed his support for Macklemore on Instagram, commenting on the rapper’s post: “Thank you for using your voice, standing with you.” Lewis Hamilton’s intervention adds one of the world’s most prominent sports figures to a growing list of celebrities supporting Macklemore.
The controversy erupted after Macklemore made pro-Palestinian comments during performances at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on September 4 and 5. His removal from the remaining U.S. dates of Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour has since triggered withdrawals by multiple supporting acts and a wider debate over political expression at concerts.
Lewis Hamilton Throws His Support Behind Macklemore
Hamilton commented on Macklemore’s lengthy Instagram statement explaining his removal from the tour.
Macklemore has said he does not consider himself the victim of the dispute and has urged attention to the humanitarian consequences of the war in Gaza. Hamilton’s short message offered unequivocal personal support without elaborating on the wider dispute.
The Formula 1 champion is not alone.
Kehlani, Zara Larsson, Greta Thunberg, Roger Waters, Rachel Chinouriri, Bob Vylan and Kneecap have also publicly supported Macklemore, while several celebrities have interacted positively with his social-media post.
Why Macklemore Was Removed From Ed Sheeran’s Tour
Macklemore was scheduled to appear on the U.S. leg of Sheeran’s Loop Tour before being removed following his comments at MetLife Stadium.
During one performance, Macklemore voiced support for Palestinians and said “Free Palestine.” He also addressed criticism of Israel and attempted to distinguish criticism of the Israeli government and its policies from hostility toward Jewish people.
Tour promoter Messina Touring Group said venue owners had objected to Macklemore remaining on the lineup. Reuters reported that the rapper had been scheduled for eight of Sheeran’s remaining 10 U.S. shows.
The Israeli American Council had also launched a petition seeking his removal, citing his criticism of Israel.
Ed Sheeran Says the Decision Was Not His
Ed Sheeran has tried to distance himself from the decision, saying the tour promoter and venues made it.
In his statement, Sheeran said he had spent the week trying to find a solution and described himself as being “appalled” by the suffering associated with the Israel-Palestine conflict.
He also said he has personal views on the conflict but chooses not to express them publicly, arguing that audiences attending his concerts do not necessarily expect a political forum. Sheeran said he prefers to use his platform to bring people together.
The distinction has done little to calm the controversy.
Ed Sheeran’s Supporting Acts Walk Out
The fallout intensified when Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Beoga and Lukas Graham all withdrew from upcoming tour dates.
Finneas said artists should not be silenced when speaking about oppressed people and declared his support for Palestinians. Rowe similarly said he could not continue under circumstances he believed involved silencing political expression.
Lukas Graham said artists should be able to discuss war, civilian deaths and children affected by conflict, while Beoga cited what it described as the silencing of Macklemore.
The mass withdrawals have transformed the controversy into a major issue for Sheeran’s tour.
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Robert Kraft Defends His Position
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has confirmed that Macklemore was not permitted to perform at Gillette Stadium.
Kraft said the decision was connected not only to Macklemore’s recent comments but also to what he described as a broader history of rhetoric and imagery that he believes has been offensive and hurtful to Jewish people.
Macklemore has rejected accusations of antisemitism and argued that criticism of Israel should not automatically be treated as hostility toward Jewish people.
The dispute therefore remains deeply contested, with supporters of Macklemore describing the episode as an issue of political expression and critics pointing to his past controversies and the impact of his statements.
Hamilton’s Message Adds a New Dimension
Lewis Hamilton’s intervention now brings the controversy beyond music and into Formula 1.
The British driver has previously used his enormous global platform to speak about social and political issues, making his support for Macklemore particularly notable.
With four of Sheeran’s supporting acts already gone and Hamilton now publicly backing Macklemore, the dispute has become far larger than a single tour lineup change.
It is now a high-profile clash involving music, celebrity activism, venue power, and the increasingly contentious question of how much political expression artists can bring onto major commercial stages.
