Boy George launches blistering attack on Ed Sheeran over Macklemore ‘Free Palestine’ row: ‘No spine!’
Boy George has launched a blistering attack on Ed Sheeran, accusing the singer of having “no spine” amid the continuing backlash over Macklemore’s pro-Palestine remarks.
The Culture Club star waded into the growing row after Macklemore declared “Free Palestine” while opening for Sheeran at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
Taking to X, Boy George criticised the rapper’s political stance before turning his attention to Mr Sheeran and fellow singer Paloma Faith.
“On the subject of @macklemore it’s important to note that slogans such as ‘Free Palestine’ offer the appearance of moral courage without requiring much political knowledge,” the 65-year-old wrote.
Boy George accused Ed Sheeran of having ‘no spine’ as he weighed in on the growing row
|
GETTYHe then declared: “@edsheeran clearly has no spine, and as for @Palomafaith and her stupid, virtuous squealing of delight about Mackle-bore when she is about as political as a soggy tuna sandwich.
“The whole thing makes me queasy.”
“Good on @Pink for speaking out, and hopefully at some point @edsheeran will address this issue,” he concluded.
His intervention comes after Macklemore sparked a fierce reaction during his opening set for Mr Sheeran on Friday evening.
Macklemore declared ‘Free Palestine’ while opening for Ed Sheeran at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium
|
GETTYBefore performing his 2024 protest track Hind’s Hall, the four-time Grammy winner told the stadium crowd: “A big part of the reason why I wanted to do this tour in the first place is so I could stand up in stadiums like this and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: Free Palestine.”
The Israeli American Council subsequently launched a petition calling on Mr Sheeran to remove Macklemore from the remaining tour dates.
The organisation argued the rapper had used the concert to advance a “one-sided political agenda” and called for clarification over whether tour organisers had approved his political remarks and performance.
It declared: “Freedom of expression does not mean freedom from responsibility. Your show. Your stage. Your responsibility.”
On the subject of @macklemore it’s important to note that slogans such as ‘Free Palestine’ offer the appearance of moral courage without requiring much political knowledge. @edsheeran clearly has no spine and as for @Palomafaith and her stupid virtuous squealing of delight about…
— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) September 7, 2026
The group added: “Keep Ed Sheeran’s LOOP Tour about music, not political propaganda.”
Reaction to Macklemore’s appearance was sharply divided, with some audience members cheering his remarks while others allegedly left the venue.
One concertgoer complained on X they had brought their wife and two daughters to see Mr Sheeran before accusing Macklemore of turning the show into “his political rally”.
Another claimed Mr Sheeran was allowing his concerts to become a “hate fest”, while a third declared they were “appalled” by the British singer.
Others defended the pair, with one social media user declaring: “I stand with Macklemore and Ed Sheeran.”
Boy George’s intervention has proved similarly divisive.
Critics accused the Culture Club singer of ignoring the plight of Palestinian civilians, with one writing: “The time it took you to post this tweet, a little child was getting bombed in tents in Palestine.”
Another challenged: “Go on… tell us about the political knowledge you have of Palestine.”
Ed Sheeran is facing calls to drop Macklemore from the remaining dates of his Loop Tour | GETTY
A third penned: “Wow, of all the people supporting genocide in Gaza, Boy George would have been last on my list.”
However, supporters praised Boy George for speaking out, with one describing him as “brave” while criticising Mr Sheeran’s response to the controversy.
Macklemore appeared undeterred by the criticism, repeating his politically charged remarks during his second MetLife Stadium performance the following evening.
Mr Sheeran, meanwhile, had not publicly addressed the controversy.
GB News has reached out to Ed Sheeran and Paloma Faith for comment.
Comments are closed.