Jack Black says he was 'blindsided' by Kyle Gass' Trump assassination remark, cancels Tenacious D tour and future plans

Jack Black is putting the music on pause after his Tenacious D bandmate, Kyle Gass, made a controversial comment about the assassination attempt against Donald Trump at a concert in Sydney over the weekend. 

“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,” Black wrote on Instagram on Tuesday. “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.”

The duo were headlining the first concert of theirTenacious D and the Spice Meatball Tour at the ICC Sydney Theatre on Sunday when Black and a robot presented Gass with a cake in celebration of his 64th birthday. When asked to make a wish, the guitarist remarked, “Don’t miss Trump next time," before blowing out the candles.

Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.

The comment quickly landed the band in hot water, with United Australia Party senator Ralph Babet issuing a media release that stated Tenacious D should be “immediately removed from the country” on Monday. He added, “To advocate or wish for the assassination of a President is egregious, disgusting, filthy, evil, and not acceptable in any way shape or form.” 

Gass apologized for the comment in his own Instagram post on Tuesday morning. “The line I improvised onstage Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake,” he wrote. “I don’t condone violence of any kind, in any form, against anyone."

He continued, “What happened was a tragedy, and I’m incredibly sorry for my severe lack of judgment. I profoundly apologize to those I’ve let down and truly regret any pain I’ve caused.” 

As part of their Spicy Meatball tour, Tenacious D was set to perform seven shows across Australia and New Zealand over the next two weeks. Every concert was sold out except for their final night at the Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand on July 26.