Pink Wants Macklemore Cancelled, Faces Backlash After Ed Sheeran Concert Controversy
Pink has stepped into the explosive backlash surrounding Macklemore’s pro-Palestinian comments at an Ed Sheeran concert and her decision to repost a criticism of the rapper has now triggered a controversy of its own.
The singer reshared an Instagram Story from StopAntisemitism criticizing Macklemore’s appearance at Sheeran’s MetLife Stadium shows in New Jersey on September 4 and 5. Pink did not add an explanation of her own, but the repost immediately thrust her into the growing debate over whether Macklemore should remain on Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour.
Pink’s One Repost Sets Off a New Firestorm
Pink’s repost amplified a message from StopAntisemitism that described Macklemore’s performance as “awful” and called for apologies and refunds for concertgoers.
The singer has not publicly explained why she shared the post. That silence has left fans and critics interpreting the repost for themselves and turned what began as a dispute over Macklemore’s performance into a wider celebrity confrontation.
Some fans have defended Pink’s decision to amplify concerns from concertgoers who did not expect political commentary at a major pop concert. Others have accused her of endorsing an overly one-sided characterization of the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Macklemore Turns Sheeran’s Stage Into a Political Flashpoint
Macklemore opened both of Ed Sheeran’s MetLife Stadium shows and used his set to make an outspoken political statement.
Wearing a keffiyeh, the rapper called for a “Free Palestine,” spoke about Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, and then performed “Hind’s Hall,” his 2024 protest song connected to pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
Gaza-related imagery appeared on the stadium screens during the performance, intensifying the reaction from some audience members. Others applauded Macklemore for using a massive platform to speak about the conflict.
The performance has consequently produced sharply divided reactions rather than a single consensus.
Calls Grow to Remove Macklemore From the Tour
The controversy escalated when the Israeli-American Council (IAC) launched a petition calling on Ed Sheeran and his team to remove Macklemore from the remaining U.S. dates of the Loop Tour.
The petition argues that an Ed Sheeran concert should not become a platform for what it describes as one-sided political messaging.
Some concertgoers have also said they left during Macklemore’s set and returned when Sheeran took the stage. CBS New York reported that attendees were seeking refunds following the performance.
However, other audience members have praised Macklemore for speaking publicly about Palestinians and human rights.
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Macklemore Pushes Back on the Backlash
Macklemore has now responded to the criticism, saying his support for Palestinian freedom should not be interpreted as an attack on Jewish people.
The rapper has been outspoken about the Israel-Palestine conflict for years. His 2024 song “Hind’s Hall” became one of his most prominent political statements and was released amid pro-Palestinian demonstrations on U.S. college campuses.
That history makes the MetLife appearance less of a surprise—but the scale of the platform has pushed the controversy to another level.
Ed Sheeran Is Now Facing the Biggest Question
While Macklemore and Pink are at the centre of the latest social-media storm, another name keeps appearing: Ed Sheeran.
Ed Sheeran has not publicly responded to the calls for Macklemore’s removal or the wider controversy. His official MetLife listing confirmed Macklemore as one of the special guests for the September 4 and 5 shows, while reports indicate Macklemore remains listed for upcoming U.S. tour dates.
That leaves Sheeran facing a difficult decision as the debate grows: stand behind his opening lineup, change course, or say nothing and allow the controversy to continue.
For Pink, meanwhile, one repost has created an entirely separate backlash.
And for Macklemore, what began as a political statement from a concert stage has become a fight over music, activism, free expression and what audiences should expect when politics enters a massive entertainment event.
