Ed Sheeran Tour Controversy Sparks Family Feud

Ed Sheeran's US LOOP Tour has been engulfed in controversy following the removal of rapper Macklemore for pro-Palestinian remarks, a decision that has now escalated into a public family feud with his cousin Jethro Sheeran. Macklemore was dropped from the remaining dates of the tour after delivering speeches supporting Palestinians during performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4 and 5. The tour promoter, Messina Touring Group, announced on September 14 that Macklemore would no longer appear, citing venue objections. Ed Sheeran addressed the backlash the following day, stating that the decision was made by the promoter, not by him. "Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter's decision, it was not mine," Sheeran said, explaining that Macklemore's contract was with the promoter. In the midst of this, Jethro Sheeran, Ed's cousin, took to social media to publicly criticize the singer. In a Facebook post, Jethro called Ed "not a good person" and a "coward," expressing shame over his cousin's actions. He alleged that Ed had mistreated him personally after becoming famous, reviving a past dispute over the song "Raise Em Up," which they recorded together in 2010.