From Rolling Stone · Charisma Madarang · · 1m 10s
AOC accuses Kraft of silencing Macklemore
AOC says Robert Kraft helped push stadiums to shut down Macklemore after his pro-Palestine comments on tour.
In brief
AOC says Robert Kraft helped push stadiums to shut down Macklemore after his pro-Palestine comments on tour. AOC framed Macklemore's removal as a warning about powerful venue owners shaping what artists can say about Gaza. Originally reported by Rolling Stone.
AOC targets Kraft
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized Patriots owner Robert Kraft after Macklemore was forced off Ed Sheeran's tour over pro-Palestine remarks.
She sees a pattern
Ocasio-Cortez said the issue goes beyond one artist, arguing a few stadium owners can block speech about Gaza at a huge scale.
“just a handful of stadium owners and the elite”
Sheeran is not her focus
Asked whether Ed Sheeran bore responsibility, AOC said everyone has a role, but pointed instead to Kraft and others she said were twisting events.
“We need to be very clear about how dangerous a precedent this.”
Macklemore spoke onstage
The controversy began at MetLife Stadium, where Macklemore shouted "Free Palestine," backed Gaza and the West Bank, and showed images from the war.
“Free Palestine”
He performed protest music
Macklemore also played "Hind's Hall," his song about pro-Palestine demonstrators at Columbia University, tying the set to campus protests.
“Hind's Hall”
Backlash moved fast
Pro-Israel groups condemned Macklemore, and the Israeli American Council launched a petition demanding Sheeran remove him from the tour.
What matters most
AOC framed Macklemore's removal as a warning about powerful venue owners shaping what artists can say about Gaza.
