Jack Black puts Tenacious D plans ‘on hold’ after bandmate’s Trump shooting remark
Jack Black is canceling the rest of his Tenacious D tour after his bandmate Kyle Gass made a controversial statement about the attempted assassination of former President Trump.
Gass, who comprises half of the satirical rock-comedy duo, sparked outrage when he was asked to make a wish for his 64th birthday during a Sunday show in Sydney. He apparently replied: “Don’t miss Trump next time,” referring to the Saturday shooting at a campaign rally in Butler, Pa.
The Grammy-winning band postponed a gig in Newcastle, Australia, on Tuesday in the wake of the controversy. Tenacious D, which developed a cult following in the late 1990s with a handful of short films that ran after episodes of “Mr. Show,” was scheduled to play additional shows in Australia and New Zealand this month before resuming its tour in the United States for a handful of shows in October.
Black said Tuesday that he was “blindsided” by what Gass said onstage Sunday.
Jack Black and Kyle Gass had been anticipating a slam dunk.
“I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form,” the “School of Rock” and “Super Mario Bros. Movie” star wrote on Instagram.
“After much reflection,” he added, “I no longer feel it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold.”
Black also said he was “grateful to the fans for their support and understanding.”
Gass, who has been an outspoken critic of the Trump family, on Tuesday also apologized for his remark.
Some experts see the attempted assassination of Trump as an epic security failure, questioning how the gunman could have gotten onto the roof of a nearby building.
“The line I improvised onstage Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake,” he wrote on Instagram about an hour after Black’s statement was posted.
“I don’t condone violence of any kind, in any form, against anyone. What happened was a tragedy, and I’m incredibly sorry for my severe lack of judgement. I profoundly apologize to those I’ve let down and truly regret any pain I’ve caused.”
Gass was dropped by his talent agency, Greene Talent, amid the fallout, Nexstar affiliates reported Tuesday. Meanwhile, X owner Elon Musk called Gass’ remark “evil” and, according to the BBC, Australian lawmaker Ralph Babet called for the deportation of the members of Tenacious D.
Black, who has been a vocal supporter of President Biden, endorsed the presumptive Democratic nominee for reelection at a glitzy fundraiser in Los Angeles last month. Since Biden’s worrying June 27 debate performance, calls for him to end his presidential run have escalated within the political realm, Hollywood and beyond.
As The Times reported Tuesday, however, pressure on Biden has somewhat subsided since the shooting. Biden decried the assassination attempt and said that “everybody must condemn” political violence. He has also dialed down his verbal attacks on Trump.
In an interview with NBC’s Lester Holt on Monday, Biden said he had erred when he told donors in a private call that it was “time to put Trump in the bull’s-eye.” He said he meant the nation should focus on Trump’s threat to democracy. He also said his opponent was guilty of engaging in worse rhetoric.
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