Far left targets Ed Sheeran for political neutrality
The ‘Outnumbered’ panel discusses the backlash against singer Ed Sheeran after far-left activists criticized him for remaining politically neutral. The panelists also examine activists’ support for Macklemore after his exit from a music festival.
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Taylor Swift hasn’t publicly spoken out in support of close friend Ed Sheeran as controversy over Macklemore’s removal has engulfed Sheeran’s latest tour.
Sheeran has faced scrutiny from some pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel activists after his tour promoter and venues dropped rapper Macklemore from his Loop Tour after Macklemore’s onstage chants of “Free Palestine” earlier this month.
Groups, including StopAntisemitism and the Combat Antisemitism Movement called for Macklemore’s removal, while singer Pink criticized Macklemore’s performance.
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Ed Sheeran responds to Macklemore’s claims over tour removal. (Getty Images)
It was during his opening set on the tour at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium when the Grammy-winning Macklemore also described Israel’s actions using terms such as “genocide” and “apartheid.”
Since the dust-up, Sheeran released a statement addressing the situation, saying the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the tour’s promoters and venues, not by him personally. He also noted his desire to continue the tour and not let down fans or crew members who rely on his concerts for their income.
That was followed by four of his tour openers withdrawing from his concerts in solidarity with Macklemore, while also noting their own opposition to what they described as genocide in Gaza. Macklemore notably drew fierce criticism in 2014 when he donned what appeared to be an antisemitic costume caricaturing Jewish people, although he claimed it was unintentional.
As Sheeran has been navigating one of the most public controversies of his career, his longtime friend and collaborator Swift has been quiet, reflective of a career where she’s generally, but not always, stayed out of political strife.
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Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran perform onstage during Swift’s Eras Tour at Wembley Stadium Aug. 15, 2024, in London, England. (Gareth Cattermole/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management)
Swift has shared a close personal and professional relationship with Sheeran spanning more than a decade. It has even been described as one of the most high-profile friendships in modern music history, with the pair mutually supporting each other through the years and collaborating both in the studio and onstage.
Sheeran appeared as the opening act for the North American leg of Swift’s “Red Tour” in 2013, and the two have teamed up on songs including the duet “Everything Has Changed” from that tour and the 2021 song “Run.” He also was a “surprise guest” during her Eras Tour.
Plenty of other memorable moments have ensued between the two. When Swift won her first BRIT Award in 2015, she publicly thanked Sheeran in her acceptance speech, crediting him with teaching her about British culture and pubs. Sheeran has been known to appear at her concerts, one time dressed as a clown as he went onto the stage during one of her Nashville shows. Both artists have often described how they’re able to relate to one another because of the unique pressures they experience at their level of fame.
Swift’s reps are known for protecting the singer’s brand, and Swift has historically been selective about when she speaks out, but she has used her platform to advocate for some progressive causes in recent years, such as endorsing Kamala Harris and supporting gay rights. She also has tried to get more voters registered, including when she endorsed Harris in 2024.
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Singer Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs attend Game 3 between the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Eastern Conference finals at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse May 23, 2026, in Cleveland. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
In 2018, Swift criticized Republican Tennessee Senate candidate Marsha Blackburn over her conservative voting record and opposition to LGBTQ+ and women’s rights, instead endorsing her Democratic opponent, former Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen.
She also described President Donald Trump as a poor leader during the COVID-19 pandemic and accused him of cheating to win.
Some who’ve worked in the entertainment industry think it’s best for performers to remain quiet about politics, whether it’s Macklemore, Swift or any other celebrity.
“My general feeling is they ought to stay in their own lane,” David Sams, CEO of Sam’s Global Companies, a conglomerate of media networks and talent management, and former head of global marketing and creative affairs at King World, told Digital.
“It’s a lot of noise, and with everything going on in the world right now, to even give five seconds to their shenanigans is ridiculous.”
Swift has also at times been criticized by the left for being insufficiently outspoken on issues.
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Digital reached out to Swift for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
