Musical comedy duo Tenacious D — helmed by actor Jack Black — have canceled their Australian tour and put all of their creative plans on pause. The move follows heavy criticism over guitarist Kyle Gass’ recent onstage comment around the attempted assassination of Donald Trump this past weekend.
The outcry came in the wake of the band’s performance in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday (July 14th), where Gass was presented with a cake onstage to celebrate his 64th birthday. After being asked to make a wish, he replied, “Don’t miss Trump next time.”
Since then, the band have faced much criticism over Gass’ words. Australian Senator Ralph Babet formally requested the pair be deported from the country, writing on X: “I condemn in the strongest possible way the call to political violence by Tenacious D in Sydney on Sunday… 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.”
In the wake of the critique, vocalist-guitarist Black took to Instagram today (July 15th), noting he was “blindsided” by his bandmate’s comment.
“I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence of any kind,” Black wrote, adding that after much reflection, the duo have canceled the rest of the Australian tour, and “all future creative plans are on hold.”
For Gass’ part, he explained in a separate Instagram statement that he had improvised the line onstage in Sydney, and now considers it a “highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake.”
“I don’t condone violence of any kind, in any form, against anyone,” he said, adding of the Trump rally shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania, that left one attendee dead and two others critically injured: “What happened was a tragedy, and I’m incredibly sorry for my severe lack of judgment. I profoundly apologize to those I’ve let down and truly regret any pain I’ve caused.”
Tenacious D’s “Spicy Meatball” tour was due to continue through Australia for the next week, with sold-out dates in Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide. Tickets for the band’s scheduled U.S. Rock the Vote benefit shows currently remain up for sale on their website.