POLICY WIRE FACT CHECK: Robert Kraft, who blocked Macklemore performances, faced solicitation charge and appeared in Epstein files
The Claim A viral claim circulated on social media platforms such as X and Facebook suggesting that Robert Kraft, the owner of Gillette Stadium and the New England Patriots, had been charged with...
The Claim
A viral claim circulated on social media platforms such as X and Facebook suggesting that Robert Kraft, the owner of Gillette Stadium and the New England Patriots, had been charged with soliciting prostitution and was connected to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein through the so-called ‘Epstein files.’ The claim also falsely linked Kraft to the removal of rapper Macklemore as an opening act for Ed Sheeran’s 2026 tour, alleging that Kraft orchestrated his dismissal due to Macklemore’s pro-Palestine stance.
The specific post on X stated, ‘This is who Ed Sheeran sided with: an Epstein-connected billionaire who was charged with soliciting prostitution.’ The claim gained traction after Macklemore posted on Instagram about his removal from the tour, which he attributed to Kraft’s decision to block his performance. The rumor spread rapidly, with users sharing the narrative without verifying its factual basis.
The Details & Investigation
According to public records, Robert Kraft was indeed charged with soliciting another person to commit prostitution in Palm Beach County, Florida. The case, filed on February 25, 2019, involved allegations that Kraft paid workers at a massage parlor in Jupiter, Florida, for sex acts. However, the charges were ultimately dismissed by a federal court of appeals, which ruled that the video evidence used to prosecute him was obtained through an illegal covert recording. The court found that neither Florida statutes nor case law authorized covert audio surveillance for prostitution-related offenses, and therefore, the video could not be admitted as evidence.
Kraft’s name also appears in the so-called ‘Epstein files,’ which are part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s public records related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. These documents include news reports about Kraft’s solicitation charge, as well as emails between Epstein and his attorney, Jack Goldberger, where Epstein mentions trying to have Kraft hire Goldberger for his defense. However, no direct evidence links Kraft to any of Epstein’s crimes, including sexual misconduct or financial fraud. Kraft has never been accused of involvement in these crimes, and the Epstein files do not indicate any criminal connection between Kraft and Epstein.
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The claim that Kraft blocked Macklemore’s performance was based on a statement from Kraft himself, who confirmed in a September 14, 2026, statement to ESPN that he had removed Macklemore as an opening act for Ed Sheeran’s tour at Gillette Stadium. Kraft cited the venue’s commitment to providing a welcoming environment free from hate speech as the reason for the decision. However, the viral claim incorrectly suggested that this action was motivated by a personal vendetta against Macklemore, rather than the venue’s policy.
Snopes, the source of the original report, verified that while the solicitation charge and Epstein file references are accurate, the broader implications of the claim—such as Kraft being an ‘Epstein-connected billionaire’ or having a criminal history tied to Epstein—are misleading. The investigation found that the case against Kraft was dismissed due to procedural errors, and there is no evidence of any criminal collaboration between Kraft and Epstein.
The Verdict
The viral claim that Robert Kraft faced a solicitation charge and appeared in the Epstein files contains elements of truth but is misleading when taken as a whole. While Kraft was charged with soliciting prostitution in 2019, the case was dismissed due to the use of illegally obtained video evidence. This makes the claim partially true but not fully substantiated as a criminal conviction. Additionally, while Kraft’s name appears in the Epstein files, there is no evidence linking him to any of Epstein’s crimes, and he has not been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with those cases.
Furthermore, the claim that Kraft orchestrated Macklemore’s removal from the Ed Sheeran tour is based on a misinterpretation of Kraft’s public statement. The removal was framed as a policy decision, not a personal retaliation. Therefore, the claim is misleading and lacks the full context necessary to be considered accurate. Based on the evidence, the claim should be rated as MISLEADING due to the selective presentation of facts and the omission of key details that clarify the legal and factual status of the allegations against Kraft.
Counter-misinformation & disinformation investigation conducted by PolicyWire Editorial Desk (PW).
