September 18, 2026 - Clancy Holdout Juror Breaks Silence

Ed Sheeran fills stadiums with an acoustic guitar and an everyman grin - nearly 21 million tickets sold since 2008. Not one of those buyers was shopping for a foreign policy seminar.

Three thoughts on his Macklemore mess.

First, I doubt anyone paid to hear Macklemore preach. He was the opening act at MetLife Stadium, a guest in someone else's house. Sheeran says his fans "do not expect a political forum." He's right.

Second, I've read what Macklemore said in New Jersey.  I don't like it but I can't find the firing offense. He said "Free Palestine." He performed "Hind's Hall," which accuses Israel of genocide. And he told his "Jewish brothers and sisters" that "criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you." Plenty of people reject those characterizations. I don't hear hate speech in what he said. Patriots owner Robert Kraft and other NFL owners control the buildings, and Kraft took his objection directly to Sheeran. Yet Kraft's own statement holds that standing with Palestinians and standing against antisemitism "should not be mutually exclusive." That is close to what Macklemore told the crowd.

But I can't get past the costume. In 2014, fresh off four Grammys, Macklemore took a Seattle stage in a fake wig, beard and large hooked nose. I looked at the pictures. I find it indefensible. He said the getup was thrown together on the spot with no ill intent, and he apologized. The Anti-Defamation League's Abe Foxman took him "at his word" and said the group would "unreservedly accept his apology," even as he noted the costume "reminded many people of an antisemitic caricature." It did. And it is why his assurances to Jewish fans get a skeptical hearing today.

The tour's other openers have quit in solidarity. Sheeran and Kraft have each pledged $2 million in aid, and Macklemore is donating his $1 million fee. Everybody is paying for a night that was supposed to be about the music. Next time shut up and sing.

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