Aaron Rowe Redirects Ed Sheeran Tour Fallout Toward Robert Kraft

Aaron Rowe is not defending the decision to pull Macklemore from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour. He is arguing that the public response has aimed at the wrong target.

In a lengthy Instagram video posted Friday, the Irish singer-songwriter—who left his opening slot following Macklemore’s removal—said Sheeran has absorbed criticism that should be directed elsewhere. “All I keep hearing is Ed Sheeran this, Ed Sheeran that—when you really should be focusing on the likes of Robert Kraft,” Rowe said. He described Kraft, the New England Patriots owner, as part of “Zionist lobbies that are trying to silence the voices of people who are shouting about genocide.”

Rowe admitted Sheeran’s public statement after the fallout “could have been a lot better.” Sheeran had said the decision came from promoter Messina Touring Group and pressure from venues, not from him. Rowe said he did not think Macklemore should have been removed and that the decision looked rushed. He also pointed to the tour’s lineup: “If Ed Sheeran was a fucking Zionist, why would he have all these fucking people on the fucking tour?”

Since being pulled, Macklemore pledged $1 million to Palestinian support groups and challenged Kraft to match. Kraft responded with a $2 million commitment to aid the region, claiming it matched a donation from Sheeran. A representative for Sheeran did not immediately respond to a request for comment.