POLICY WIRE FACT CHECK: Macklemore apologized for 2014 costume featuring antisemitic tropes
The Claim A viral claim circulating on social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and X suggested that rapper Macklemore had once performed in a costume featuring antisemitic tropes. The...
The Claim
A viral claim circulating on social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and X suggested that rapper Macklemore had once performed in a costume featuring antisemitic tropes. The claim gained traction after actor Josh Malina, who is Jewish, shared images of a man wearing a black wig, fake beard, and exaggerated hooked nose—reminiscent of historical antisemitic caricatures—and accused Macklemore of perpetuating harmful stereotypes. The post included references to a Nazi salute gesture and was accompanied by a caption that read, Nah. do not defend this guy.
The claim resurfaced in September 2026, following Macklemore’s removal as an opening act on Ed Sheeran’s tour, which some attributed to his public advocacy for Palestinian freedom during a concert. The rumor spread quickly, with users citing photographs and videos from May 2014, when Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, performed at the Museum of Pop Culture (then known as the EMP Museum) in Seattle as part of the “Spectacle: The Music Video” exhibition. The image of him in the costume, which evoked antisemitic imagery, became the centerpiece of the viral narrative.
The Details & Investigation
Snopes confirmed the authenticity of the images and video footage showing Macklemore in a costume that included a large hooked nose, a black wig resembling a kippah, and a black jacket and trousers similar to those worn by Orthodox Jewish men. These elements are historically linked to antisemitic caricatures, such as the 1893 French newspaper La Libre Parole Illustrée, which depicted a Jewish figure with a large nose, a kippah, and a greedy demeanor, reinforcing harmful stereotypes about Jewish people.
Macklemore addressed the controversy three days after the performance, posting a lengthy statement on his website. In it, he explained that he had chosen the costume for its visual impact and did not realize it would evoke antisemitic imagery. He cited his love for costumes and the availability of exaggerated noses at the costume store, adding that he wanted to be unrecognizable. He also noted that some people compared him to Ringo Starr or Abraham Lincoln, but he emphasized that he never intended to mimic any culture or stereotype.
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He concluded with an apology, stating, “I truly apologize to anybody that I may have offended,” and linked to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) website for educational material on antisemitic tropes. The ADL reportedly accepted his apology, with director Abe Foxman stating that they took Macklemore at his word and accepted his apology unreservedly. This response from the ADL suggests that the claim was not a deliberate act of disinformation but rather an unintentional misstep that led to public backlash.
While the photos and video confirm that the costume was worn by Macklemore, there is no evidence that he intentionally made a Nazi salute gesture. The claim that he did so appears to be an exaggeration or misinterpretation of the original footage. Additionally, the viral narrative that Macklemore had been removed from Sheeran’s tour due to his past costume choice is misleading. His cancellation was tied to his public comments on the Israel-Palestine conflict, not the 2014 incident.
The Verdict
The viral claim that Macklemore performed in a costume featuring antisemitic tropes is TRUE. The images and video confirm that he wore a costume that included elements historically associated with antisemitic caricatures. However, the claim that he did so with malicious intent is MISLEADING. Macklemore explicitly stated that he did not intend to evoke antisemitic imagery and apologized for any offense caused. The Anti-Defamation League accepted his apology, acknowledging that while the costume reminded many of antisemitic stereotypes, it was not clear that he had ill intent.
Therefore, the claim is best categorized as MISLEADING, as it conflates the factual event with the assumption of deliberate harm. While the costume itself was problematic, the evidence shows that Macklemore did not intend to perpetuate antisemitism. The subsequent viral spread of the claim, especially in the context of his later political statements, may have contributed to a broader narrative of disinformation, but the core assertion about the 2014 costume remains accurate and not entirely deceptive.
Counter-misinformation & disinformation investigation conducted by PolicyWire Editorial Desk (PW).
