Fox News’ Jesse Watters Has Surprising Reaction to Macklemore Controversy
What To Know
- Fox News host Jesse Watters expressed surprise and questioned whether Macklemore’s “Free Palestine” comment warranted being dropped from Ed Sheeran’s tour.
- Macklemore revealed that he was removed from the tour after Robert Kraft and other stadium owners pressured Sheeran.
- Following the controversy, all of Sheeran’s remaining opening and supporting acts withdrew from the Loop Tour.
Fox News host Jesse Watters had a surprising reaction to the Macklemore controversy.
On the Tuesday, September 15 episode of The Five, Watters shared his take on Ed Sheeran dropping Macklemore as an opening act for his Loop Tour. Macklemore was ousted following his pro-Palestine comments at a concert in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
“So what did he say that was bad?” Watters asked. “He said ‘Free Palestine?’ Is that all?”
“OK, well, all I heard was ‘Free Palestine,'” Watters pointed out. “I don’t think that’s hate speech.”
JESSE WATTERS: “Is that all he said? Free Palestine? I don’t think that’s hate speech.”
When you’ve even lost Jesse Watters 👀 pic.twitter.com/x34onXf1y8
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) September 16, 2026
On September 14, Macklemore took to Instagram to reveal that he was dropped from Sheeran’s tour after Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, led a campaign against him.
“Ed told me that Kraft said I would not be allowed to perform in his stadium,” Macklemore wrote. “Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues.”
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On September 15, Sheeran took to Instagram with a statement in response to the controversy. The “Shape of You” singer explained that he “spoke with the venues at length all week to try to build a bridge. However, he noted that “the venue’s and promoter’s decision was final.”
Sheeran added, “I respect Macklemore’s strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes. However, there is room for multiple approaches to the same end: peace. I choose to use my fame and platform to be a place of safety and sanctuary, to maintain diplomacy and keep conversations open, not closed.”
In the wake of Macklemore’s ousting, the rest of Sheeran’s opening and supporting acts have dropped out of his Loop Tour, including Finneas, Lukas Graham, Beoga, and Aaron Rowe.
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