Tenacious D, the band formed by actors Jack Black and Kyle Gass, have cancelled the remaining dates of their tour in Australia and New Zealand following an unfortunate on-stage comment about Donald Trump and his assassination attempt at an election rally in Pennsylvania earlier this year. While celebrating his birthday in front of the crowd, Gass made a wish: “Don’t miss Trump next time.”
Just hours after the failed assassination attempt on the former US president, the two musicians were performing in Sydney, Australia, at a concert coinciding with Gass’ birthday. Black encouraged his partner to blow out the candles on his cake and make a wish when he uttered the words, which spread like wildfire on social media. The controversy has gone so far that even an Australian senator, Ralph Babet, has called for the group to be “immediately” deported from the country.
Following the negative response from the public, each member posted a statement on their social media. Black said he did not know what his partner was going to say, declaring that he would “never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any way.” In the same message, the well-known actor announced that it would no longer be “appropriate” to continue with the tour and that “all future creative plans are on hold.”
In his own statement, Gass clarified that the remark was “improvised,” confirming his partner’s version, “highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake.” “What happened was a tragedy and I am deeply sorry for my severe lack of judgment,” the message concludes.
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NEW: Comedian Jack Black’s bandmate makes a “birthday wish” during a performance in Sydney, says he wishes they “don’t miss Trump next time.”
Black was videoed giving Tenacious D band member Kyle Gass a birthday cake.
“Make a wish,” Black said.
Gass then responded: “Don’t… pic.twitter.com/jSyqrKISOl
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) July 15, 2024
