Patriots Owner Robert Kraft Announces $2 Million Donation

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Patriots Owner Robert Kraft Announces $2 Million Donation

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Holleran | Last updated Sep 17, 2026 1:40 PM ET

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has announced a $2 million donation in the wake of his controversy with rapper Macklemore.

Kraft announced that Macklemore was not being allowed to perform as an opening act for Ed Sheeran in a concert at Gillette Stadium later this month. Kraft, who is Jewish, felt that it would be inappropriate for Macklemore to perform, after he spoke out in support of Palestine during previous shows.

Macklemore had been dropped from Ed Sheeran’s “Loop Tour” following his comments on Palestine.

Kraft has since announced that he is pledging $2 million.

“I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people. I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting,” Kraft said in the statement.

“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. Ed now plans to reach out to other venue owners and our goal is to continue to work together to build bridges.”

“In addition, I’d like the people who are speaking in support of the Palestinian people to know that for decades, I have supported efforts that create opportunity for Palestinians and have brought young Palestinians and Israelis together to build businesses, create jobs, and forge relationships.”

Statement from Robert Kraft pic.twitter.com/as3f4RUKse
— Gillette Stadium (@GilletteStadium) September 16, 2026

Kraft had previously said that he felt a Macklemore performance would cross the line.

“Based on Macklemore’s recent actions, material shared from the stage during Ed Sheeran’s shows in New Jersey, and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community, we determined that his participation in the September 25th and 26th concerts at Gillette Stadium would cross that line,” Kraft said in a statement shared with ESPN.

Kraft said that his decision is not about minimizing the suffering of Palestinians.

“Their pain and loss are real,” Kraft said his statement. “But that advocacy should not come at the expense of the Jewish community or obscure the responsibility of Hamas, a United States and globally (including Canada, European Union, United Kingdom, and Japan) designated terrorist organization whose horrific actions have caused immeasurable suffering for Palestinians and Israelis alike.

“I agree with Macklemore. Too many lives have been lost and there has been too much suffering, but only sharing selective information and ignoring the actions of Hamas is not honest and only advances more divisiveness and hate. Over many decades, I have directed resources to Palestine and created athletic and entrepreneurial opportunities for Palestinians who I admire and respect. Standing with the Palestinian people and standing against Hamas, antisemitism and hate should not be mutually exclusive.”

The Patriots are set to host the Steelers at home in Week 2.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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