Tenacious D Cancels Tour due to Controversy Over Trump Assassination Joke
The renowned comedy rock duo Tenacious D, consisting of Jack Black and Kyle Gass, has abruptly ended their world tour following a controversial remark made by Gass during a recent performance in Sydney, Australia.
The incident has sparked widespread backlash, leading to the cancellation of all future creative plans for the group.
During a concert at the ICC Sydney Theatre on Sunday, Gass, while celebrating his 64th birthday on stage, made an off-the-cuff joke referencing the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
When asked to make a wish, Gass quipped, “Don’t miss Trump next time.” This remark came less than 48 hours after a gunman had shot at Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania, injuring his ear, killing one spectator, and seriously injuring two others.
Jack Black, blindsided by his bandmate’s comment, quickly responded with a public apology on Instagram.
Black emphasized that he does not condone hate speech or political violence in any form and announced that the remainder of the Tenacious D tour would be canceled. He also stated that all future creative plans for the group were on hold, expressing gratitude to fans for their understanding.
Gass also took to Instagram to apologize, acknowledging his severe lack of judgment and the inappropriateness of his comment.
He stated that he does not condone violence in any form and profoundly regretted any pain his words may have caused.
The controversial comment ignited a firestorm on social media and beyond.
Elon Musk labeled the joke as “evil,” and Australian Senator Ralph Babet called for the immediate deportation of Black and Gass. In a statement, Babet demanded that the Australian government revoke their visas and remove them from the country.
The fallout also affected the duo’s professional relationships. Gass’s agent, Michael Greene of Greene Talent, announced they had parted ways following the incident.
The immediate impact was the postponement of Tenacious D’s scheduled performance in Newcastle, New South Wales, with subsequent shows in Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Wellington, and Auckland also being called off.
The band’s North American dates, planned for October as part of the “Rock D Vote” tour, now hang in the balance, with no confirmation yet on their status.
The incident highlights the heightened sensitivity and divisiveness surrounding political discourse in the current climate.
The assassination attempt on Trump, which occurred just days before Gass’s joke, had already intensified political tensions. Trump made his first public appearance post-incident at the Republican National Convention, visibly injured but greeted with strong support.
President Joe Biden condemned the violence, calling for national unity and a reduction in incendiary rhetoric.
However, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, recently announced as Trump’s vice-presidential pick, suggested that the Biden campaign’s portrayal of Trump as an authoritarian figure had contributed to the violent act, a claim that drew bipartisan criticism.