Robert Kraft Says Ed Sheeran Asked Him for $2M After Macklemore's Donation Challenge

Macklemore threw down a public challenge this week, asking Robert Kraft to match his $1 million donation to Palestinian aid groups. Kraft’s answer, delivered Wednesday, was a curveball: he said Ed Sheeran had called him earlier that same day asking him to commit $2 million to match Sheeran’s own donation to humanitarian relief in the region. Notably, Kraft didn’t confirm whether he’d actually commit the money, when it would happen, or which organizations would receive it. He did say he’s long supported efforts helping Palestinians and bringing young Palestinians and Israelis together.

The background here is messier than the headline. Macklemore was removed as an opener on Sheeran’s U.S. Loop Tour after making pro-Palestinian statements, with the promoter saying venues wouldn’t allow the shows to go on with him on the lineup. Macklemore alleged that Kraft threatened to cancel Sheeran’s Gillette Stadium shows unless he was dropped. Sheeran, for his part, called the removal the venue’s and promoter’s decision and said he’s focused on building bridges.

So where does that leave things? Basically, with a lot of public statements and no confirmed donations. Fans are split between wanting receipts and wanting everyone to just help people in crisis. We’ll be watching to see if that $2 million actually materializes. What do you think: should Kraft have to prove he donated, or is the challenge itself the problem?