Jack Black has canceled the remaining dates of Tenacious D’s Australian tour and halted future creative projects after his bandmate, Kyle Gass, made a controversial joke during a concert. The incident occurred on July 14 at Sydney’s ICC Theatre, where Gass, celebrating his 64th birthday, jokingly referenced the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. His remark, “Don’t miss Trump next time,” sparked laughter from the audience but quickly led to backlash on social media.
Critics, including United Australia Senator Ralph Babet, condemned the joke, calling for the band to be deported from Australia. Jack Black responded on Instagram, expressing his disappointment and emphasizing that he does not condone hate speech or political violence. He announced the tour’s cancellation and suspended all future plans with Tenacious D.
Gass also issued a public apology on Instagram, acknowledging the inappropriateness and danger of his comment. He expressed deep regret for his lapse in judgment and apologized for any harm caused.
The controversy comes just days after Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally, where a gunman fired shots, wounding Trump and killing one attendee. The incident, combined with Gass’s joke, has put Tenacious D in a difficult position, forcing them to cancel their tour and reassess their future endeavors.
