Australian musician's US ban prompts apology from girlfriend over Trump post

May 12, 2026

Australian electronic musician Keli Holiday (Adam Hyde) from the duo Peking Duk was forced to abandon his North American tour after U.S. border officials prevented him from re-entering the country from Canada, despite having proper visa documentation. His girlfriend, media personality Abbie Chatfield, issued an apology for a year-old social media post discussing Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing a healthcare executive, which some speculated may have been connected to the border denial. Chatfield clarified that her post had been misinterpreted and emphasized that Holiday had never seen the video, though no official reason was provided for the ban.

Who is affected

Keli Holiday (Adam Hyde), the Australian musician from Peking Duk
Abbie Chatfield, Holiday's girlfriend and media personality
Fans attending the cancelled North American tour dates
Foreign tourists potentially subject to new U.S. entry requirements

What action is being taken

Holiday is attempting to get clarity on his border detention situation
Chatfield has apologized publicly for her previous social media post
The U.S. has proposed new rules requiring foreign visitors to provide five-year social media histories

Why it matters

This incident highlights the increasing scrutiny of social media activity in U.S. border enforcement and immigration decisions, even when individuals have proper documentation. It raises concerns about accountability by association, as Holiday faced consequences for content posted by his partner that he had not even seen. The situation demonstrates how online speech can have real-world consequences for international travel and underscores the broader shift toward more restrictive U.S. immigration policies.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC