Jack Black has cancelled all upcoming dates on Tenacious D‘s current tour, and said that “all future creative plans are on hold,” after a comment his bandmate Kyle Gass made onstage at the band’s recent Sydney, Australia show on Sunday. It was Gass’ birthday, and asked to make a wish by a Black, with a huge robot carrying a birthday cake in tow, Gass responded “don’t miss Trump next time,” referencing the shooting at Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday night (7/13).
@dark_hive 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 miss Trump next time.” The crowd seemed to think the “joke” was funny. Maybe, just maybe, these people are actually the evil ones. #jackblack #donaldtrump #trump #rally #DJT #news #foryou
Hive
The fallout has been swift; TMZ reported on Monday that sources told them Black “wasn’t aware Kyle would say this, and that he doesn’t condone violence.” Soon after, United Australia Party leader Senator Ralph Babet issued a statement calling for Tenacious D’s deportation. “I condemn in the strongest possible way the call to political violence by Tenacious D in Sydney on Sunday,” it reads. “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.”
The statement continues:
This was not a joke, he was deadly serious when he wished for the death of the President.
I call on the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese to join me in denouncing Tenacious D, Jack Black and band member Kyle Gass, and I call on the Immigration Minister Andrew Giles to revoke their visas and deport them immediately.
Anything less than deportation is an endorsement of the shooting and attempted assassination of Donald J. Trump, the 45th and soon-to-be 47th President of the United States.
There is no place in Australia for those who wish for the assassination of others. pic.twitter.com/wuvgQxeeDS
— Senator Babet (@senatorbabet) July 16, 2024
The band’s next show, scheduled for today (7/16) in Newcastle, was postponed, with a message on Frontier Touring’s Facebook reading, “Frontier Touring regret to advise that Tenacious D’s concert tonight at Newcastle Entertainment Centre has been postponed. Ticket holders are asked to hold onto their tickets until further information is available.”
Now with the latest statement from Black, who has continually been a vocal Biden supporter, the whole tour has been cancelled, and the future of Tenacious D is in question. In full, his statement reads, “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,” Black continues, “and all future creative plans are on hold. I am grateful to the fans for their support and understanding.”
Gass has also issued a statement, which reads, “The line I improvised onstage Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake. I don’t condone violence of any kind, in any form, against anyone. What happened was a tragedy, and I’m incredibly sorry for my severe lack of judgement. I profoundly apologize to those I’ve let down and truly regret any pain I’ve caused.”
Tenacious D had recently announced a five-date Rock the Vote benefit tour in October. Stay tuned for further updates.
TENACIOUS D: CANCELLED 2024 TOUR DATES
Jul 16, 2024 Newcastle Entertainment Centre Newcastle, Australia
Jul 18, 2024 Brisbane Entertainment Centre Brisbane, Australia
Jul 20, 2024 Rod Laver Arena Melbourne, Australia
Jul 22, 2024 Adelaide Entertainment Centre Adelaide, Australia
Jul 24, 2024 TSB Arena Wellington, New Zealand
Jul 26, 2024 Spark Arena Auckland, New Zealand
Oct 21, 2024 Mershon Auditorium Columbus, OH
Oct 22, 2024 IU Auditorium Bloomington, IN
Oct 23, 2024 The Sylvee Madison, WI
Oct 25, 2024 Wings Event Center Kalamazoo, MI
Oct 26, 2024 Bryce Jordan Center State College, PA