# AOC accuses Kraft of silencing Macklemore

> AOC says Robert Kraft helped push stadiums to shut down Macklemore after his pro-Palestine comments on tour.
- Title: AOC accuses Kraft of silencing Macklemore · Rolling Stone
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: alexandria ocasio-cortez, robert kraft, macklemore, ed sheeran, free palestine, gaza, israel, metlife stadium, loop tour, hind's hall, israeli american council, censorship
- Source: Rolling Stone — https://rollingstone.com/music/music-news/aoc-robert-kraft-macklemore-free-palestine-speech-1235627408
- Author: Charisma Madarang
- Published: 2026-09-16T01:22:41+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: alexandria ocasio-cortez, robert kraft, macklemore, ed sheeran, free palestine, gaza, israel, metlife stadium, loop tour, hind's hall, israeli american council, censorship
## 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.
## Key takeaway

AOC framed Macklemore's removal as a warning about powerful venue owners shaping what artists can say about Gaza.