Abbie Chatfield has made a lengthy apology for “a very bad joke” she posted to her social media a year ago.
It comes less than a day after the media identity’s long-time partner, singer Keli Holiday (aka Adam Hyde), was denied entry into the US for unconfirmed reasons, forcing him to cancel scheduled performances.
Since 2025, border control in the US has intensified scrutiny of travellers, after President Donald Trump announced plans to overhaul entry to the US, demanding persons wanting to enter disclose history of their social media.
However, Chatfield, an outspoken Trump dissenter, has denied the two incidents are related despite the timing, writing in the comments, “No, there has been no clear reason given for that but people are conflating the two things. A video from a year ago.”
In the caption of her effusive apology video, Chatfield says:
“An apology and a clarification on some headlines I’ve been seeing about a (very bad) joke I posted over a year ago that I believe is now being exaggerated and words have been put I my mouth.
“Regardless, I’m truly sorry for anyone this hurt, and want to make it clear this was not a serious call to action, but is poorly aimed joke at the violence of incels and commentary about the interesting reaction to Luigi Mangione in where a man accused of unaliving someone was suddenly a heart throb.”
The influencer adds, “There were layers to it that I should have at least explained in the caption, or the video OR ideally, I shouldn’t have posted it at all! This “joke” was in extremely poor taste, but I want to make it clear that I do not think political violence is ever okay, and as I said when CK [Charlie Kirk] was assassinated, it is not good for anyone.
“I’m genuinely making a huge effort to be more careful with my words, and understand the impact of them, joke or not. I honestly want to apologise to all of you, including and particularly those who disagree with my political stances.”
In the current apology video, Chatfield claims: “I never called for the assassination of [Trump]. This was a punchline that was meant to be about incels and the … Bizarre reaction to Luigi Mangione.”
She also promises to be more careful with her words, writing in the caption: “I am truly taking more time to reflect on my words and my jokes, because even if you do get the joke, is it helpful? No. It isn’t. It’s stupid, unnecessary, and had potential for harm.”
Chatfield’s post ends with her hoping the public “can forgive me, and we can move forward”, adding that “I also want to make it clear Adam hadn’t even seen this video, so any vitriol toward him is unwarranted.”
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Abbie Chatfield apologises for video
For context on the current situation and to explain why Chatfield has denied that her history is connected to Holiday’s visa revocation: Chatfield has been an open critic of aspects of US politics, beyond her Charlie Kirk/Luigi Mangione ‘joke’ for which she’s now apologising.
The popular social media identity also made headlines last year for a rant (in the same video) against US President Donald Trump, in which she repeatedly used a handgun gesture. Chatfield did not explicitly name Trump, but it was heavily implied and understood by viewers that’s who she was referring to.
Sky News’ conservative Rita Panahi said this month that Chatfield has been “relentlessly promoted” by the media who’ve “embraced” her “far-left” ideas.
Earlier this month, Panahi wrote of Chatfield’s two-week gig as KIIS FM’s breakfast host:
“Somehow, the brains trust at ARN… thinks it’s perfectly fine to put a woman on KIIS who has encouraged people to assassinate President Donald Trump.
“Abbie Chatfield thought it was a great idea to post a video online telling Americans to assassinate their President – and that’s after he had survived two assassination attempts.”
Holiday is now back in Australia.
Top image: Abbie Chatfield/Instagram