Jack Black axes Tenacious D tour over bandmate’s ‘inappropriate’ Trump joke
globalnews.caJack Black announced he’s cancelling the rest of the Tenacious D world tour after his bandmate Kyle Gass made a joke about the failed assassination of Donald Trump that left him “blindsided.”
The bandmates were performing in Sydney, Australia, Sunday night when a cake was brought out on stage to celebrate Gass’ birthday.
When Black asked Gass to make a wish and blow out the candle, Gass responded with, “Don’t miss Trump next time” — a reference to the assassination attempt of the former president at a Pennsylvania rally a day earlier — as the audience laughed.
While the show continued that night, Black issued a statement Tuesday, nixing the rest of the tour and pausing future work with Gass.
“I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form,” Black wrote. “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.”
A post shared by Jack Black (@jackblack)
Tenacious D was supposed to go on to perform further shows in New Zealand and Australia, as well as a series of “Rock D Vote” shows to benefit the nonpartisan organization Rock the Vote ahead of the U.S. presidential election.
Australian senator Ralph Babet asked that the band be removed from the country in a statement posted to X 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,” wrote Babet. “This was not a joke, he was deadly serious when he wished for the death of the President.”
There is no place in Australia for those who wish for the assassination of others. pic.twitter.com/wuvgQxeeDS
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