Jack Black has cancelled Tenacious D’s tour, after his bandmate made a joke endorsing Trump’s attempted assasination while on stage.
Kyle Gass, Black’s long-time collaborator, was celebrating his birthday while on tour in Sydney. When Black presented him with a birthday cake and asked him to make a wish, Gass said “don’t miss Trump next time,” referring to the former president’s attempted assassination last Saturday.
In a statement shared to social media, Jewish musician Black said he was “blindsided” by Gass’s comments. “I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form,” the actor said.
Black shared he would be cancelling Tenacious D’s tour, and putting all future creative plans on hold. “I am grateful to the fans for their support and understanding,” he said.
Gass’s comments drew widespread criticism, coming just the day after Trump’s attempted assassination. Australian Senator Ralph Babet today called for Tenacious D to be deported immediately. Gass was also dropped by his record label according to TMZ.
“Tenacious D should be immediately removed from the country,” Babet said. The senator continued: “Anything less than deportation is an endorsement of the shooting and attempted assassination of Donald J Trump, the 45th and soon-to-be 47th President of the United States”.
Gass apologised for his comments, writing on social media: “The line I improvised Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake. I don't condone violence of any kind, in any form, against anyone”.
“What happened was a tragedy,” Gass said, “and I’m incredibly sorry for my severe lack of judgement”.
Black and Gass formed Tenacious D in 1994, and have performed together since. They were set to play another week of gigs in Australia before heading to New Zealand to complete their Spicy Meatball Tour.
