Jack Black has paused activities for his rock duo Tenacious D following a controversial onstage comment made by his bandmate, Kyle Gass, which appeared to support the assassination of Donald Trump.
During a concert in Sydney on Sunday, Gass was celebrating his birthday with a cake presented to him on stage. Black encouraged Gass to make a wish as he blew out the candles, and Gass responded, to audience laughter, “Don’t miss Trump next time” – referencing the failed assassination attempt by 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks at a Trump rally the previous day.
Black continued with the concert after Gass’s comments but later released a statement:
“I was blindsided by what was said at the show on Sunday. I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form. After much reflection, I no longer feel it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold. I am grateful to the fans for their support and understanding.”
Tenacious D had been scheduled to perform four more dates across Australia before traveling to New Zealand. Australian senator Ralph Babet called for the band to be removed from the country, stating on Tuesday: “I call on the prime minister Anthony Albanese to join me in denouncing Tenacious D, Jack Black, and band member Kyle Gass, and I call on the immigration minister Andrew Giles to revoke their visas and deport them immediately. Anything less than a deportation is an endorsement of the shooting and the attempted assassination of Donald J Trump.”
