Hannah Einbinder has publicly blasted Ed Sheeran after the British singer defended his decision to drop Macklemore from his tour.
The “Hacks” star, 31, took to Instagram Stories on Tuesday to mock Sheeran, 35, over his stance on keeping politics off his stage. Her post came hours after Sheeran addressed the growing controversy surrounding Macklemore’s removal from the ‘Loop Tour’ lineup.
Einbinder, who is Jewish-American, shared a screenshot showing Sheeran’s estimated $400 million net worth. Alongside it, she fired back: “Ed Sheeran, I say this as a ginger. I hope you get a REALLY bad sun burn the kind on the back of your entire body where it hurts to lie down or walk or sit.”
The Golden Globe-nominated actress also posted excerpts of “Apolitical Intellectuals,” a poem by Guatemalan revolutionary Otto René Castillo, implicitly framing Sheeran’s position as complicity. She additionally shared multiple informational sources about Israel and Palestine with her followers.
Sheeran’s original statement, posted Tuesday to his 48 million Instagram followers, explained why he would not use his platform for political expression. “My audience includes young people, often children, of all backgrounds,” he wrote. “Those who come to my shows do not expect a political forum.”
He continued: “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, whose real name is Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, had revealed earlier this week that stadium owners including Robert Kraft were blocking his participation in Sheeran’s U.S. Gigs due to his onstage remarks supporting Palestine. The rapper then defended his position in a lengthy social media statement, writing of Sheeran: “He couldn’t get past his public facing: I don’t take sides.”
Macklemore added: “And I get why people don’t. Taking a side can cost you. Money, brand deals, sponsorships, festivals, private shows, relationships and access. I’ve lost all of those things. But there is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed. When one side has the bombs and bottomless financial and military support from America, refusing to take a side doesn’t leave you in the middle.”
The fallout has been severe for Sheeran’s touring plans. All four of his scheduled opening acts have withdrawn in solidarity with Macklemore. Irish musician Aaron Rowe said he “would lose all respect for himself [if he] carried on as normal.” Finneas, Billie Eilish’s brother and collaborator, announced he was dropping out as he “stands with Palestine and its people.” Sheeran’s own backing band Beoga followed suit, as did Danish pop group Lukas Graham.
The controversy has also drawn criticism from other prominent figures. Children’s YouTuber Ms Rachel entered the fray, stating: “It’s not wrong to say Palestinian people should be able to be free, and Palestinian kids should be able to grow up. It’s wrong to be silent during a genocide.”
Einbinder’s intervention carries particular weight given her own history of political speech at major venues. While accepting the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series last year, she declared from the stage: “Go birds, f**k ICE and free Palestine!” Backstage, she explained her motivation, saying: “It is my obligation as a Jewish person to distinguish Jews from the state of Israel. Our religion and our culture is such an important and long-standing institution that is really separate to this sort of ethnonationalist state.”
She has maintained this position despite potential professional consequences. At Cannes in May, when asked whether she feared Hollywood blacklisting, Einbinder responded: “The cost of not speaking is higher. There is a greater toll in not speaking and you’ve just got to have your priorities straight. I am under no impression that my small career could ever measure up in comparison to even one human life. It’s an obligation and I will always do it.”
The dispute originated when Macklemore made comments supporting Palestine during performances, prompting stadium owners to demand his removal from Sheeran’s ‘Loop Tour.’ Sheeran complied, then issued his statement about maintaining an apolitical platform. The rapper countered that such neutrality effectively serves the powerful, and the subsequent exodus of supporting acts has left Sheeran without any openers for his upcoming shows. Sheeran has also lost nearly 100,000 Instagram followers since the controversy erupted.
Sheeran’s next scheduled performance is in Arlington, Texas.