Fact Check: Did Macklemore say the Holocaust never happened?
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Amid the backlash after Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran’s stadium tour for his pro-Palestine remark, a social media post claimed that Macklemore said the Holocaust never happened. The claim has sparked criticism of the rapper, with many calling for a fact-check.
Claim: Macklemore said the Holocaust never happened
According to a viral post that appeared on X, Macklemore said that the Holocaust “never happened.”
The post has garnered almost half a million views as of this writing, drawing strong reactions from online users. Many accused him of antisemitism and condemned him for the alleged remark. A few others expressed solidarity with the purported statement, indicating that many believed the claim is true.
Meanwhile, a few others called the claim fake and fabricated to defame the 43-year-old rapper and called for verification.
Fact Check: The claim originated as satire
However, the claim is false, as there is no evidence of the Grammy Award-winning rapper making such a statement.
There are no official statements or recent interviews by the rapper denying the Holocaust, a narrative often associated with antisemitism.
A look at his recent social media posts addressing controversies also does not include a statement suggesting a denial of the historic injustice.
If Macklemore had really made such a statement, it would not go unreported by prominent news and entertainment media outlets, making headlines and triggering a massive backlash and debate, given the sensitivity surrounding the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Moreover, the claim was posted by an X account called ‘Dissident Wire,’ which describes itself in the bio as ‘parody news.’
Macklemore's removal sparks backlash against Ed Sheeran
The claim surfaced after Macklemore was removed from the rest of Ed Sheeran’s stadium tour after an on-stage statement calling for a “free Palestine.”
“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,’” he said.
His removal triggered a massive backlash, with several supporting acts withdrawing from Sheeran's tour in solidarity with Macklemore.
Sheeran’s lengthy statement clarified that “I spoke with the venues at length all week to try and build a bridge,” before noting, “I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living.”
