Tenacious D cancels Australian tour after Jack Black’s Trump shooting comments

SYDNEY (Reuters) – American comedy-rock duo Tenacious D, formed by actors Jack Black and Kyle Gass, has suspended the remainder of its Australian tour following controversial remarks made by Gass regarding an assassination attempt on former U.S. President Donald Trump.

A video that circulated widely on social media captured the moment during their Sydney concert on Sunday when Gass was presented with a birthday cake. As Jack Black encouraged Gass to make a wish, Gass appeared to remark, “don’t miss Trump next time” before extinguishing the candles.

This comes in the wake of an incident where Trump was shot in the ear at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday. The FBI is investigating the event as an assassination attempt. The former president has since attended the Republican National Convention, donning a thick bandage over his right ear.

On Tuesday, Gass issued an apology on Instagram, acknowledging a “severe lack of judgment” and labeling his comments as inappropriate, dangerous, and a grave mistake. Black expressed his shock at Gass’s statement, asserting that he was “blindsided” and clarified that he does not condone hate speech or political violence in any way.

“After much reflection,” Black continued, “I no longer feel it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold.”

Black, known for his roles in films like School of Rock, The Holiday, and Jumanji, as well as his leading voice role in the Kung Fu Panda animated series, has been a vocal supporter of Joe Biden and even attended a re-election fundraiser for Biden in June.

Gass and Black formed Tenacious D in Los Angeles in 1994, initially performing their “mock rock” routines at local bars. The duo’s scheduled show in Newcastle on Tuesday was cancelled, as were their upcoming performances in Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, and New Zealand later this month following the tour’s abrupt end.

The comments by Gass elicited strong reactions from Australian politicians. Australia’s ambassador to the U.S., Kevin Rudd, criticized the remarks, stating that he felt sickened by jokes about violence and that people making such comments need to “grow up and find a decent job.”

Similarly, Senator Ralph Babet of the United Australia party called for the band to be deported immediately.

Source: Reuters