Patriots owner Robert Kraft pledges $2 million to Palestinian region at Ed Sheeran’s request

Robert Kraft is putting his money where his mouth is − and where the money of Ed Sheeran and Macklemore is going.

The New England Patriots owner, who was a driving force of Macklemore's removal from Sheeran's "Loop Tour 2026" earlier this week in response to the Grammy Award-winning rapper's pro-Palestinian comments during a Labor Day tour stop in New Jersey, is pledging $2 million to the war-ravaged Middle East region. Kraft made the announcement on social media on Wednesday, Sept. 16, just hours after Macklemore pledged $1 million of his own "to support the Palestinian people" and invited Kraft to match it. Per Kraft, Sheeran, who's previously steered clear of political positions, committed $2 million himself and had asked Kraft to do the same.

"I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people. I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting," read a statement attributed to Kraft on the X account of Gillette Stadium, where the Patriots have played since 2002.

"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…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/sports/