Tenacious D have canceled the remaining dates on their tour of Australia and New Zealand after the duo’s Kyle Gass joked about the attempted assassination of former President Donald J. Trump. “I was blindsided by what was said at the show on Sunday,” Gass’ bandmate, Jack Black, wrote in a statement. “I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form.”
Black continued, “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.”
At a recent show, in Sydney, Australia, Black led the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday” to Gass, and encouraged his bandmate to blow out his birthday cake candles and make a wish. “Don’t miss Trump next time,” Gass wished, referring to 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks’ attempt to shoot the former president at a campaign rally near Butler, Pennsylvania. (An event attendee, Corey Comperatore, was killed by Crooks, and two other men were severely injured.)
In his own statement, Gass wrote: “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.”
Jack Black and Kyle Gass are outspoken Trump critics, and the band had recently announced a string of Midwest concerts to support the nonprofit Rock the Vote.
