Jack Black Cancels Tenacious D Tour Over ‘Inappropriate’ Trump Joke – National
Jack Black announced that it was cancelling the remainder of the Tenacious D world tour after bandmate Kyle Gass made a joke about Gass’s failed assassination Donald Trump which left him “caught off guard”.
The band members were performing in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday night when a cake was brought on stage to celebrate Gass’ birthday.
When Black asked Gass to make a wish and blow out the candle, Gass replied, “Don’t miss Trump next time” — a reference to assassination attempt on former president at a rally in Pennsylvania the day before — as the audience laughed.
As the show continued that night, Black released a statement Tuesday, canceling the remainder of the tour and suspending any future work with Gass.
“I will never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form,” Black wrote. “After careful consideration, I no longer believe it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative projects are on hold. I am grateful to the fans for their support and understanding.”
Tenacious D was scheduled to perform at further concerts in New Zealand and Australia, as well as a series of “Rock D Vote” concerts to benefit the non-partisan organization Rock the Vote ahead of the US presidential election.
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Australian Senator Ralph Babet has called for the the group is withdrawn from the country in a statement released on X on Monday.
“Advocating and/or wishing for the assassination of a president is blatant, disgusting, dirty, evil and unacceptable “In any case,” Babet wrote, “it was not a joke, he was completely serious when he wished for the death of the president.”
“I call on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to join me in denouncing Tenacious D, Jack Black and band member Kyle Gass, and I call on Immigration Minister Andrew Giles to revoke their visas and deport them immediately,” Babet continued.
“Any action short of expulsion would be an endorsement of the shooting and attempted assassination of Donald J. Trump,” he said.
Gass apologized for the comment on Instagram, saying it was a “serious lack of judgment.”
He wrote: “The line I improvised on stage on Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake.
“I do not condone violence of any kind against anyone. What happened was a tragedy, and I am deeply sorry for my serious lapse in judgment. I sincerely apologize to those I have let down and truly regret any pain I may have caused.”
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