Rapper Macklemore was kicked off the remainder of Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour dates after expressing pro-Palestinian views at a show in New Jersey.

The Comments: During his performance at MetLife Stadium on September 4, he said, "Free Palestine. I want those words to be loud and clear, so the people from Gaza all the way to the occupied West Bank know that we have not forgotten." On September 5, during another performance at MetLife, he addressed Jewish audience members and said, "Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you. My message is for peace, love; for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect, and equality."

The Controversy: The comments prompted critical posts from the StopAntisemitism activist organization, one of which was amplified by pop singer P!nk. Subsequently, Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, called Sheeran to tell him Macklemore would not be allowed to perform at his stadium and reportedly organized a boycott from other stadium owners. Kraft said his decision wasn't about "diminishing the suffering of innocent Palestinians" but that "advocacy should not come at the expense of the Jewish community or obscure the responsibility of Hamas." Both P!nk and Kraft are Jewish Americans.

Tour Changes: Macklemore was then dropped from the tour, a decision Sheeran said was "the promoter's decision." Shortly thereafter, the other opening acts, which included Lukas Graham, Aaron Rome, Finneas, and Beoga – which performed as Sheeran's backing band – announced their withdrawal from all of Sheeran's upcoming dates.

Statements After: Sheeran wrote on Instagram, "There is a reason I do not use my professional platform for politics – my audience includes young people, often children, of all backgrounds. Those who come to my shows do not expect a political forum. I respect Macklemore's strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes. However, there is room for multiple approaches to the same end: peace. I choose to use my fame and platform to be a place of safety and sanctuary, to maintain diplomacy and keep conversations open, not closed."

Macklemore described Sheeran as a longtime "friend" who "was in a f***ed up position" because "his typical apolitical stance was being challenged in a way it never had been before." He also criticized what he described as the weaponization of antisemitism accusations, and concluded, "I didn't need 10 shows from Ed. I needed 2. Two chances to stand in front of 90,000 people and say the words that somehow became too dangerous to say. Free Palestine. But if those words cost me the stage, while turning the conversation back to Palestine, then it was the most successful tour I've ever been on."

Past Politics: Macklemore's music has never shied away from political and social themes. In 2012, he and creative partner Ryan Lewis released the pro-gay rights song "Same Love," and in 2016 he released "White Privilege II," which commented on police brutality and Black Lives Matter. In 2014, Macklemore dressed in a costume that many argued resembled a Jewish man and was antisemitic, though Macklemore later apologized and said he didn't mean to offend anyone.

How The Media Covered It: The story was widely covered by mainstream outlets, with some outlets publishing several pieces of coverage as new developments were reported. Some outlets from the left and center, like The New York Times (Lean Left bias), Associated Press (Lean Left), and DW News (Center), published headlines that framed Sheeran's tour as being in dire condition since the support acts withdrew. Fox News (Right) highlighted Democratic lawmakers and other liberal figures who voiced support for Macklemore.

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A memorial erected for late conservative activist Charlie Kirk was vandalized outside Turning Point USA's (TPUSA) headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, on Sunday – three days after the anniversary of Kirk's assassination. TPUSA (Right bias), which Kirk founded in 2012, said it restored the memorial later that day. No arrests have been made at the time of this publishing.

RELATED: Was Charlie Kirk Practicing Politics the Right Way? | AllSides

How The Media Covered It: While media on the right more prominently emphasized the vandalism's satanic messaging, others reported less-specific details of the display. The Hill (Center) and The Guardian (Left), for example, more generally mentioned "red spray-paint" on the eight-foot statue and sign, but Fox News (Right) highlighted, "The word 'Jesus' and an image of a cross appeared to be crossed out, while 'Satan' was apparently scrawled across the display."

The Hill did quote TPUSA's assertion that crossing out Jesus' name was intentional, but Fox gave further voice to the organization, which said, "Hate cannot win. The radical Left is showing up to vote. What are you doing to save the country from this?" It also gave voice to Kirk's widow, Erika, who declared, "God will not be mocked," and others who called the vandalism "evil."

RELATED: Tennessee Man Wins $835,000 Settlement After Being Jailed For Charlie Kirk Meme | AllSides

For Context: Thursday marked one year since Charlie Kirk's assassination at Utah Valley University, reigniting debates over the conservative commentator and his views on campus speech. The statue and sign were erected in memorial of the first anniversary. Suspect Tyler Robinson, 23, is currently standing trial for the aggravated murder, though he pleads not guilty. The Department of Justice (DOJ) is reportedly seeking the death penalty.

RELATED: Does Charlie Kirk's Assassination Portend More Political Violence? | AllSides

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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to repeal carbon pollution limits for coal and gas power plants on Monday. Outlets on the left highlighted opposition from environmentalists and energy experts, while outlets on the right emphasized the potential for lowering energy costs and maintaining American power plants.

The Details: Current policies on pollution regulation were imposed under Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden and aimed to curb emissions of carbon dioxide, mercury, and other air pollutants that are believed to be linked to climate change. To comply with current regulations, coal plants could have used technology to trap and store carbon emissions, and gas plants could have operated on fuels such as hydrogen, which does not produce carbon emissions, according to New York Times (Lean Left bias). In June, when plans for this change were first announced, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the administration said that this change would "deliver savings to American families on electricity bills, and it will ensure that they have the electricity that they need today."

For Context: According to Washington Examiner (Lean Right), fossil fuel power plants have accounted for about 5% of global emissions since 1990. New York Times reported that power plants are the "second largest source of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the United States."

How the Media Covered It: Left outlets focused coverage on how this change could impact climate change and global warming, with the Times framing it as "the administration's erasure of the most consequential climate policies of Presidents Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Barack Obama." The Times also reported that the Biden administration also "estimated that the regulation would also prevent other pollutants, such as soot, from escaping into the air, resulting in $120 billion in public health benefits by 2047." Washington Examiner noted that some power industry experts said that the technology required to meet current requirements "does not yet exist, and that the rules would effectively close most plants." Reuters (Center) framed the repeal as "​an important ​step in Trump's ⁠broader strategy on environmental regulations he views as unnecessary barriers to industrial development ​and expanded energy production."

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