Game of Thrones fan roast Ed Sheeran’s statement with Lannister cameo memes
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Game of Thrones fans have seized on Ed Sheeran’s recent statement about the ‘Israel’-Palestine conflict, turning his infamous Season 7 Lannister soldier cameo into fresh online satire that mocks what many see as a carefully neutral, both-sides approach.
Sheeran faced intense criticism after Macklemore was removed from his Loop Tour for repeatedly saying “Free Palestine” and performing his protest track “Hind’s Hall” during New Jersey stadium shows.
Supporting acts including Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and Beoga then quit in solidarity.
Finneas stated plainly, “I stand with Palestine and its people,” while others framed the exit as a refusal to be silenced on the suffering in Gaza.
Sheeran responded on Instagram with a lengthy post insisting the decision was the promoter’s, not his. “I am appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine,” he wrote.
“The suffering and pain caused on both sides is a human tragedy.” He added that he has personal views but chooses not to speak publicly, declaring “I am not complicit.”
Critics quickly labeled the language evasive and tone-deaf amid the ongoing devastation in Gaza.
Game of Thrones fans zeroed in.
A viral meme paired footage and stills of Sheeran’s 2017 campfire scene—where he sang as a Lannister soldier opposite Arya Stark—with a satirical rewrite of his statement.
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In the joke version, the character claims “The North Remembers” is hurtful and downplays Tywin Lannister’s role in the Red Wedding, casting the singer as a centrist apologist for House Lannister’s atrocities.
Comment sections filled with jokes about “centrist Lannister soldiers” and Tywin’s PR team working overtime.
The original cameo already rankled many viewers in 2017 for breaking immersion; Sheeran later reflected that he was “omnipresent” at the time and simply “get[s] s*** on for things.”
The new wave of memes revived that discomfort, with fans arguing the singer’s real-world caution mirrors a character more interested in staying comfortable than confronting power.
One user quipped, “The Iron Bank of Braavos has a right to defend itself by slaughtering villages”.
Another noted, “The signs were always there,” while others joked, “It all makes sense now” and “I’ve forgotten about this dumb scene.”
“The Iron Throne was promised to his boss 3000 years ago,” the users continued.
“I am appalled by the conflict between the Night King and the Starks. Both sides are causing so much pain and I am remaining neutral,” another said.
