Jack Black Announces Tenacious D’s Comeback After Trump Joke Controversy

Jack Black has confirmed that Tenacious D, the comedy rock duo he co-founded with longtime friend Kyle Gass, will continue despite the controversy stemming from a joke Gass made about an attempted assassination of Donald Trump.

“I love Tenacious D … We had to take a break, but I love the D. Everybody takes a break sometimes,” Black remarked at the Los Angeles premiere for his new action film, Borderlands, this week. “We’ll be back.”

Previously, Black had announced that “all future creative plans [for Tenacious D] are on hold” due to backlash over Gass’s joke.

The incident occurred during a July concert in Sydney, where Gass, celebrating his birthday, quipped “Don’t miss Trump next time” when asked for a wish. While the audience responded with laughter, the reaction was swift and polarizing. Australian senator Ralph Babet even called for the band to be removed from the country.

Following the controversy, the band canceled the remainder of their tour. Gass issued an apology, acknowledging his “severe lack of judgment … The line I improvised Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous, and a terrible mistake. I don’t condone violence in any kind, in any form, against anyone.” Black was equally taken aback, stating he was “blindsided by what was said at the show on Sunday. I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form.”

The backlash didn’t stop at Gass. Black faced criticism from those who believed he was turning his back on his friend and collaborator of over 30 years.

Addressing the situation at the Borderlands premiere, Black assured that their friendship remains intact. “We’re friends. That hasn’t changed. These things take time sometimes … And we’ll be back when it feels right,” he said.

Borderlands, a live-action adaptation of the popular video game, is directed by Eli Roth. In the film, Black voices a wisecracking robot named Claptrap, starring alongside notable actors like Cate Blanchett and Kevin Hart.

Source: The Guardian, Yahoo News