The saga generated endless column inches and sparked wild speculation.
But in the end, the mystery of why hairy-chested crooner Adam Hyde – better known for being Abbie Chatfield‘s boyfriend – was denied entry to the US last week was solved with three blunt words from American authorities.
‘National security concerns’.
Ever since Hyde announced he was detained at the US-Canadian border last Thursday, the prevailing assumption has been that his partner’s inflammatory social media posts about American politics and President Donald Trump were to blame.
Chatfield did little to hose down this speculation when she posted a 10-minute video statement on Tuesday apologising for a ‘joke’ from a year ago that some critics interpreted as encouraging harm towards Trump.
Inside Mail contacted the White House for comment about why Hyde was refused entry and our enquiry was directed to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
A spokesperson would not be drawn into saying that Chatfield’s comments directly affected Hyde’s ability to travel, but the thunderous tone of the statement made two points clear: U.S. authorities were inspecting foreign nationals ‘on a case-by-case basis’ at the border and that a ‘visa is a privilege, not a right’.
‘Adam Hyde was not deported,’ a CBP spokesperson said via email on Wednesday.
The mystery of why singer Adam Hyde, better known for being Abbie Chatfield’s boyfriend, was refused entry to the US has been solved with three blunt words from border authorities
U.S. Customs and Border Protection cited ‘national security concerns’ for why Hyde (above, at last year’s TikTok Awards) was denied entry at Toronto Pearson International Airport on May 7
‘He was denied entry at Toronto Pearson International Airport on May 7, 2026, due to national security concerns.
‘The Trump Administration is enforcing immigration laws – something the Biden administration failed to do.
‘All persons arriving at a port of entry to the United States are subject to inspection on a case-by-case basis.
‘As part of their critical national security mission, CBP officers routinely determine admissibility of foreign nationals using longstanding U.S. immigration law which lists more than 60 grounds of inadmissibility divided into several major categories.
‘If statutes or visa terms are violated, travelers may be subject to detention and removal.
‘A visa is a privilege, not a right, and only those who respect our laws and follow the proper procedures will be welcomed.’
The saga began last Thursday while Hyde was in the middle of a North American tour. Having performed a series of US shows, he completed his Canadian dates in Toronto before attempting to re-enter the States for his final New York show.
Ticket-holders were subsequently informed the gig would no longer go ahead, while Hyde – one half of the electronic duo Peking Duk, who also goes by the stage name ‘Keli Holiday’ – revealed his entire touring party also had their visas revoked.
The saga began last Thursday while Hyde was in the middle of a North American tour. He put out this statement on Instagram saying that he couldn’t make his final date in New York
On Tuesday, Abbie Chatfield apologised for a video from last year that some critics interpreted as encouraging harm towards President Donald Trump. (Above: a screenshot from that video)
‘Hello stunnas, unfortunately I’m not going to make it to tonight’s show at Baby’s All Right in NYC,’ he wrote on Instagram.
‘I have spent all day detained at the Canadian border and denied entry back into the US despite having the proper visa documentation in place. I’m still trying to get clarity on the situation myself.’
A devastated Hyde admitted he was ‘gutted’ by the decision.
‘I hate letting people down and to be honest really wanted to party with you all,’ he continued.
‘Thank you for all the support and patience while I figured this out.’
A representative later confirmed the singer had returned to Australia and was preparing for the next leg of his domestic tour, with performances across New South Wales and Victoria due to begin this week.
Chatfield later ignited speculation that her strident online commentary had played a role in Hyde being refused entry when she uploaded a clip in which she said she had ‘done so much growing’ in the year since posting her video about Trump.
Chatfield ignited speculation that her commentary had played a role in Hyde being refused entry when she said she had ‘done so much growing’ in the year since posting her Trump video
‘I have [done] so much work to really understand the impact of my words, and also understand that I need to f***ing think before I speak,’ she said.
Chatfield went on to argue that her original post was only a joke aimed at ‘incels’ and the online idolisation of accused killer Luigi Mangione.
She insisted she did not seriously call for Trump’s assassination, but conceded that her words had a controversial impact.
‘People have said that I have called for the assassination of Trump. I do not want that to happen. I want to be clear,’ she said.
‘I do NOT believe that political assassinations are positive for anybody. In fact, when [conservative activist] Charlie Kirk was assassinated, I said that.
‘I never called for the assassination of [Trump]. This was a punchline … about incels and the… bizarre reaction to Luigi Mangione.’
Chatfield said her ‘joke’ was ‘misinterpreted’, but added that she regretted ever making the video in the first place.
‘Looking back on all the things that I’ve said over my career, there’s so much I should have done differently, and this video is one of them,’ she said.
‘But I do want you to know the context and the attempt at a joke that really wasn’t funny, and also the fact that I did not say President Trump.’
Chatfield concluded her video by saying her upcoming national speaking tour will shed new light on her recent growth as a public figure.
Hyde, who goes by the stage name ‘Keli Holiday’ is, one half of the electronic duo Peking Duk
‘I want people to understand that I’m genuinely concerned about these topics, and I need to redirect my anger into being educational,’ she said.
‘Yes, still having a laugh, but not in a way that could harm people.’
She did not name Trump in the July 2025 clip, but made a gun symbol with her fingers.
‘Americans, when are you going to do it? Why is it not already done? Every day, there’s another [gun symbol] happening, right?’ she said.
Hyde and Chatfield’s representatives were contacted for comment.
The full edition of Inside Mail – the must-read media and politics column exclusive to DailyMail+ subscribers – is out Thursday. Read last week’s column here.
