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Actor and musician Jack Black, one half of the comedic rock band Tenacious D, has abruptly canceled the band’s current tour as a result of comments made by longtime bandmate Kyle Gass about the assassination attempt on Donald Trump in Pennsylvania on Saturday, July 13.
During a concert in Australia on Sunday, July 14, Gass — whose birthday is that same day — was given a birthday cake by Jack Black while on stage, who then told Gass to make a wish. Gass, in response, said, “Don’t miss Trump next time.”
Early Tuesday morning, Black posted a statement on Instagram (with the comments disabled) saying that he was “blindsided” by what Gass said and does not “condone hate speech or political violence.”
In addition to the cancelation of the tour, Black also says the band is being put on indefinite hiatus, stating that all future creative plans are being put on hold.
“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.”
Gass’ comments even led to a member of the Australian government calling for the pair to be deported.
“Tenacious D should be immediately removed from the country after wishing for the assassination of Donald Trump at their Sydney concert,” Senator Ralph Babet said in an official statement on Monday. “To advocate and or wish for the assassination of a President is egregious, disgusting, filthy, evil, and not acceptable in any way, shape, or form.”
Black is a prominent celebrity Democrat as he recently spoke at a fundraiser for President Joe Biden at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on June 15, 2024.
“When the President wins in November, I’m pretty sure I’m going to get a sweet shout-out in his victory speech for what I gave up to be here,” Black said at the event while wearing a pair of USA-flag-themed overalls. “Because when democracy is at stake, Jack Black answers the call! Mr. President, you’re welcome. That’s not the President. That’s not…that’s just a random dude. But I thought it would look better if I talked right to a guy.”
As of 2024, Tenacious D has been together for 30 years, having been founded by Black and Gass when the pair were both members of The Actors’ Gang theater company in Los Angeles. The band has released four studio albums: Tenacious D (2001), The Pick of Destiny (2006), Rize of the Fenix (2012), and Post-Apocalypto (2018).