The comedy rock duo Tenacious D — made up of Jack Black and Kyle Gass — has cancelled the rest of their tour after Gass made a remark about the assassination attempt on Donald Trump during a show in Australia.
The remark also sparked a response from former prime minister and current Australian ambassador to the United States, Kevin Rudd, who condemned the joke and said the band members should “grow up”.
During a show in Sydney on Sunday, Gass said “Don’t miss Trump next time” after Black presented him with a birthday cake and told him to “make a wish”.
His comments, which were caught on a now widely-reported video, came after while at a rally in Pennsylvania.
Rudd said on Wednesday that Gass’ joke made him “feel sick” and that the band members should “find a decent job”.
“(This is) about threats to physical life. It’s about the near-assassination of a former and prospective president of the United States, depending on the vote of the American people, and it’s about the murder of an innocent civilian and two people being seriously wounded,” Rudd said.
On Tuesday, United Australia Party senator Ralph Babet called on the federal government to deport Tenacious D in the wake of Gass’ comment.
“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,” Babet said in a statement on Tuesday.
Tenacious D axe their tour, put future plans on ice
On Tuesday night, Black said he was “blindsided by what was said” and confirmed the tour would end prematurely.
“I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form,” Black wrote on Instagram.
“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.”
Black has been critical of Trump previously and appeared at a fundraiser for US President Joe Biden in June.
Following Black’s statement, Gass apologised on Instagram.
The band’s Spicy Meatball Tour kicked off in the US in May 2023 before moving through Europe. The Australian leg began on Saturday in Sydney and the final show was scheduled for 22 July in Adelaide.
Two New Zealand shows were meant to follow, after which the band would return to the US for a select few dates in October.
