Trump’s attempted assassination domino-ing into the cancellation of Jack Black’s comedy-rock band’s tour was not on anyone’s 2024 bingo card, but maybe we should have thrown out bingo cards like three election cycles ago. Anyway, Black has cut short the Tenacious D tour after a clip from the band’s July 14 Sydney show, which took place on bandmate Kyle Gass’s 64th birthday, made the rounds on Twitter. In the video, Black presents Gass with a birthday cake in front of the crowd before asking him to make a wish, and Gass jokes, “Don’t miss Trump next time!â€
On July 16, Black released a statement on Instagram addressing the video. “I was blindsided by what was said at the show on Sunday,†Black wrote. “I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form.†He added, “After much reflection, I no longer feel it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold.â€Â Gass posted a statement of his own on Instagram soon after, calling his remarks “highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake.†He added, “What happened was a tragedy, and I’m incredibly sorry for my lack of judgement. I profoundly apologize to those I’ve let down and truly regret any pain I’ve caused.â€
Prior to Black and Gass’s statements, the clip from the Sydney show was amplified by multiple conservative accounts on Twitter. One right-wing Australian senator was so offended that he called for Gass’s deportation. Ralph Babet said in a statement that both musicians “should be immediately removed from the country†and demanded that their visas be revoked: “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. This was not a joke, he was deadly serious when he wished for the death of the President.†We wonder if Justin Timberlake’s infamous utterance “This is going to ruin the tour†came to Black’s mind.
This post has been updated throughout.