Netizens have questioned Robert Kraft and Ed Sheeran’s pledge to donate $2 million each to humanitarian efforts, with many criticising the pair for not specifying where the money will go.
The backlash came after Kraft said Sheeran had asked him to commit $2 million to “aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis”, without naming any organisation or confirming whether the money would go specifically towards Palestinian or Gaza relief.
Several users on X questioned the wording, with one writing, “read this properly y’all and do not be fooled these people think we’re stupid bc wdym ‘the region’”.
Another user wrote, “not the damage control but you can’t even name drop palestine or the gaza strip”.
Others questioned whether the money would go towards Palestinian causes, with one post saying, “Kraft is going to give his money to the IDF. You just know it. he doesn’t give a f–k about palestinian lives.”
Another user wrote, “The way they intentionally didn’t specify where the money is going to. wdym ‘aid in the region’ ??? this could’ve went to Israel.”
One person also compared Kraft’s statement with Macklemore’s donation announcement, writing, “Donating to ‘aid in the region’ is incredibly unspecific and may very well be to zionist causes, given Robert Kraft’s history. Macklemore told us which six orgs he’s donating to. Will Robert Kraft do the same?”
Macklemore said that he would donate his $1 million net earnings from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour to six organisations supporting Palestinians. He named the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, HEAL Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, UNRWA USA and Anera.
He also challenged Kraft, the New England Patriots owner, to match his donation.
“And I invite Robert Kraft to match my donation,” Macklemore wrote. “Whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives are worth protecting. A Palestinian life is no less valuable than any other life on this earth.”
Kraft responded shortly afterwards, saying that he had already spoken with Sheeran before Macklemore issued the challenge. He added that Sheeran had asked him to commit $2 million to humanitarian efforts in the region.
“I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people. I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting. Earlier today, before Macklemore challenged me to match his donation, Ed called me and asked me to commit $2 million to match his donation to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis,” Kraft said.
“Ed now plans to reach out to other venue owners and our goal is to continue to work together to build bridges.”
Kraft did not identify the organisations that would receive the money in his statement. He also said he had supported initiatives involving Palestinians and Israelis for decades.
The donation exchange followed Macklemore’s removal from Sheeran’s Loop Tour after his comments supporting Palestinians during a performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey earlier this month.
Kraft had criticised Macklemore’s remarks and said that he would not allow the rapper to perform at Gillette Stadium. Sheeran later added that the decision to remove Macklemore came from the tour’s promoters and was not his decision.
The controversy also led Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and Beoga to withdraw from the tour.
Sheeran has said he was “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine” and described the suffering on “both sides” as a “human tragedy.”
