James May has entered the debate over the controversy involving Ed Sheeran and Macklemore, drawing mixed reactions from social media users.
The television presenter, aged 63, spent more than 20 years collaborating with Richard Hammond and Jeremy Clarkson from Oxfordshire.
Their partnership began during the BBC’s Top Gear programme before continuing on Amazon Prime Video’s The Grand Tour.
The three presenters maintained a working relationship spanning 23 years, with 15 years on Top Gear followed by eight years presenting The Grand Tour.
Following the conclusion of these programmes, May and particularly Clarkson have maintained significant presences across social media platforms.
May’s most recent contribution to the discussion has attracted both endorsement and criticism.
The matter concerns American artist Macklemore, who during an appearance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey expressed solidarity with people in Gaza and the West Bank.
Macklemore had been scheduled as a supporting act for Sheeran’s Loop Tour and was booked for several additional dates.
The comments made by Macklemore prompted the launch of a petition calling for his removal from the remaining tour dates.
Sheeran responded on the same platform the following day, indicating that the decision had been made by the tour promoter rather than by him.
The other supporting acts subsequently withdrew from the tour in a show of support for Macklemore.
May subsequently responded to an image of Macklemore taken in 2014, in which the performer was wearing an outfit described by critics as a Jewish caricature.
The photograph had originally circulated at that time, generating substantial criticism of the American artist, who subsequently issued an apology expressing respect for all cultures and people, according to BBC reports.
As the controversy surrounding Sheeran continued, the 2014 photograph was recirculated with the caption asking who the person was.
May’s response consisted of a single word combining Macklemore’s name with his own.
Although intended humorously by the former Top Gear presenter, the remark provoked anger among certain social media users.
One individual questioned May’s broader views on the matter, while another expressed disappointment at what they perceived as a lack of nuance regarding the Palestinian situation, noting that the costume had been photographed more than ten years previously.
One user directly confronted May, asking for permission to express frustration.
May granted this request.
Other users, however, found amusement in the contribution.
One described the wordplay as irresistible, while another praised May’s approach.