Far Left Targets Ed Sheeran for Political Neutrality

The panel on ‘Outnumbered’ discussed the backlash singer Ed Sheeran has received after far-left activists criticized his decision to remain politically neutral. They also touched on the support shown for Macklemore after he was dropped from a music festival.

Interestingly, Taylor Swift hasn’t publicly supported her close friend Ed Sheeran amid the controversy surrounding Macklemore’s removal from his tour. Sheeran has found himself under fire from some pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel activists following Macklemore’s exit from the Loop Tour, which was triggered by Macklemore’s on-stage chants of “Free Palestine” earlier this month.

Organizations like StopAntisemitism and the Combat Antisemitism Movement demanded Macklemore’s removal, while singer Pink also spoke out against his performance.

During the New Jersey stop of the tour, Macklemore described Israel’s actions using terms such as “genocide” and “apartheid.” Following the incident, Sheeran issued a statement clarifying that the decision to remove Macklemore wasn’t his, but rather made by the tour promoters and venues. He expressed a desire to continue the tour and not disappoint fans or crew members who depend on the concert income.

In solidarity with Macklemore, four of Sheeran’s opening acts withdrew from his concerts, also expressing opposition to what they perceived as genocide in Gaza. It’s worth noting that Macklemore faced harsh criticism in 2014 for wearing what many considered an antisemitic costume, though he claimed it was an unintentional mistake.

As Sheeran navigates this significant controversy, his longtime friend Swift has remained quiet, which is somewhat reflective of her career, where she has generally sidestepped political strife.

Swift and Sheeran share a close personal and professional bond that has lasted over a decade, often supporting each other and collaborating through various projects. In fact, Sheeran opened for Swift during her “Red Tour” in 2013, and the pair has collaborated on songs like “Everything Has Changed” and “Run.” He even surprised fans by joining her on stage during her Eras Tour.

There have been quite a few memorable moments between the two. For instance, when Swift won her first BRIT Award in 2015, she credited Sheeran for helping her understand British culture in her acceptance speech. He’s also appeared at her concerts in fun ways, like once dressing as a clown during a Nashville show. They often express how they relate to each other due to the unique pressures that come with their stature in the music world.

While Swift is generally cautious about when she speaks out, she has, over the years, advocated for progressive causes, including endorsing Kamala Harris and supporting LGBTQ+ rights. It seems she has made efforts to engage with voters too, especially during the 2024 elections.

Some in the entertainment industry believe it might be best for artists to remain apolitical, whether it’s Macklemore, Swift, or others. David Sams, CEO of Sam’s Global Companies, commented that performers should focus on their own careers rather than getting involved in political discussions, describing much of it as “noise.”

Interestingly, there has been criticism from the left towards Swift for not being vocal enough about certain issues.

Fox News Digital reached out to Swift for comments, but they had yet to receive a response.