Imagine a rap group so bold they chant for violence on a global stage, only to find their American dreams abruptly canceled. That’s the fate of British band Bob Vylan, whose visas were yanked by the U.S. State Department after a controversial performance that crossed serious lines.
The Daily Caller reported that on Monday, the State Department pulled the visas of Bob Vylan, ensuring they can no longer enter the U.S., following their inflammatory antics at the Glastonbury Festival in England and effectively halting their planned October 2025 tour here.
The trouble started at Glastonbury on the preceding Saturday, when frontman Pascal Robinson-Foster led the crowd in hostile chants against Israeli soldiers, including calls for their demise.
It wasn’t just a lyric or two—it was a deliberate, public tirade. The backlash was swift and fierce, as one might expect when hate takes center stage.
Glastonbury Festival itself didn’t mince words, stating on Sunday that they were “appalled” by the band’s behavior. Their official response condemned the act as crossing into hate speech and incitement, stating, “Their chants very much crossed a line.” Well, no kidding—when you’re shouting for death at a music festival, you’ve left art behind and entered dangerous territory.
The festival’s statement urged everyone involved to remember there’s no room for such rhetoric at their event. It’s a rare moment of clarity from an industry often too eager to excuse “creative expression” no matter the cost.
Enter the Trump administration, which has made it crystal clear that foreigners on visas must respect American values and not pose threats to national security.
President Trump’s executive order from January 2025 set the tone, demanding that visa holders refrain from hostility toward U.S. principles or support for terrorist groups. This isn’t just posturing—it’s policy with teeth, as Bob Vylan learned the hard way.
The State Department’s decision aligns with a broader push to scrutinize visas, including revoking those of students and faculty suspected of backing groups like Hamas.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau didn’t hold back, calling the band’s performance a “hateful tirade.” If you’re leading death chants, it’s hard to argue you’re just misunderstood.
Landau further emphasized, “Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country.” That’s a line in the sand that’s tough to dispute—nations have every right to decide who crosses their borders. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce doubled down, noting this was a “very public event” that violated basic standards.
Bruce also reminded everyone, “Every sovereign nation has a right to decide who’s going to come to this country.” It’s a simple truth often lost in the fog of progressive talking points about open borders and unchecked expression. The U.S. isn’t a free-for-all, nor should it be.
Meanwhile, Bob Vylan’s frontman Robinson-Foster seemed unapologetic, framing their stunt as “a change in foreign policy.”
That’s a fancy way to dodge accountability for shouting vitriol from a stage. If you think chanting for violence is diplomacy, you’re in for a rude awakening.
Robinson-Foster also rallied his supporters with, “Let them see us marching in the streets, campaigning on the ground level.” It’s the classic activist playbook—double down and play the victim when called out. But actions have consequences, especially when they’re broadcast to thousands.
The band, predictably, declined to comment when approached by the Daily Caller News Foundation. Silence speaks volumes when you’ve been caught red-handed leading a crowd in something so divisive. Perhaps they’re realizing that not every stage is a soapbox for unchecked hostility.
For Bob Vylan, the visa revocation means their planned U.S. tour in October 2025 is dead in the water. It’s a harsh but fitting outcome for a group that chose to prioritize provocation over professionalism. The message is clear: if you’re coming to America, leave the hate at home.