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Macklemore’s ‘F— America’ comment prompts joint statement from 2 sports teams
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Macklemore’s ‘F— America’ comment prompts joint statement from 2 sports teams

Two professional sports teams distanced themselves from rapper Macklemore after he told concertgoers at a pro-Palestinian event in Seattle, “F— America!”

Macklemore is part of the ownership groups of the NHL’s Seattle Kraken and MLS’ Seattle Sounders FC. Both teams released a joint statement regarding Macklemore’s comments.

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Macklemore with fans

Macklemore carries the trophy after the MLS Cup between Seattle Sounders and Toronto FC at CenturyLink Field in Seattle on November 10, 2019. (Joe Nicholson-USA Today Sports)

“We believe that sports bring people together and unite them. We are aware of Macklemore’s increasingly divisive comments, and they do not reflect the values ​​of our respective ownership groups, leagues or organizations,” the teams said Monday, via KOMO News.

In August 2019, he joined the Sounders ownership group and in April 2022, he became part of the Kraken ownership group.

“We are currently evaluating our joint options in this matter,” the statement said.

Macklemore performed at the “Palestine Will Live Forever Festival.”

“Just say it. I’m not going to stop you. I’m not going to stop you,” Macklemore said, referring to chants from the crowd.

“Yeah, F— America,” the Grammy-winning artist said, prompting cheers from the crowd. The video was shared on X by journalist Cam Higby.

Macklemore at Kraken Competition

Macklemore performs during halftime at Climate Pledge Arena during the Philadelphia Flyers vs. Kraken game in Seattle on February 16, 2023. (Steven Bisig-USA Today Sports)

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He said proceeds from the event at the Seward Park Amphitheater would go to several organizations, including the controversial United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA).

Israeli officials have said that UNRWA has strong ties to Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The UN itself announced in August that nine UNRWA staffers would be dismissed for possible involvement in the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Maher Joudi, the event organizer, told The South Seattle Emerald that the event was purely to support the Palestinians.

“The one thing I want everyone to take away from this is — everything we do in this space is 1000 percent for Palestine,” he told the outlet. “It’s in service of Palestine and those who are fighting every day. We’re doing what we can on this side. And I think as long as we center and frame all of the work that we do as in service of them, we’re doing the job.”

Macklemore released an anti-Israel song in May called “Hind’s Hall,” a reference to the Columbia University building that was occupied by students and renamed in honor of a 6-year-old Palestinian girl killed in the Israel-Gaza war. The song praised anti-Israel camps and protests on college campuses across the country and called out President Biden, the police, and the music industry.

Macklemore holds a trophy

Macklemore celebrates winning the MLS Cup with the Seattle Sounders after they defeated Toronto FC in the MLS Cup on November 10, 2019. (Steven Bisig-USA Today Sports)

The rapper released a second version of the song this month, in which he quotes Vice President Kamala Harris, who became the Democratic presidential nominee after Biden withdrew from the race in July.

It has been almost a year since Hamas terrorists invaded Israel, killing, raping and taking hostages to hundreds of people. It has sparked Israel’s ongoing war in the region, with no ceasefire in sight.

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On Tuesday, 101 hostages were still being held in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he believed about half were still alive.

Fox News’ Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports reporting on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.