Jack Black Cancels Tenacious D Tour After Kyle Gass’ Controversial Trump Comment
All remaining dates on Tenacious D‘s Spicy Meatball Tour, as well as all future creative endeavors involving the comedy duo, have been canceled. This decision — announced via social media by Jack Black — comes following a recent performance in Sydney, Australia, during which Kyle Gass made a birthday wish on stage: “Don’t miss Trump next time,” referring to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump.
Attendees in the room responded with laughter, but a few right-wing politicians in Australia have responded with calls for deportation, and Black himself has noted that he was taken aback by Gass’ remark. “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 Tuesday morning. “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.”
In a separate statement, Gass issued an apology. “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 anymore,” he wrote. “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 and pain I’ve caused.”
Tenacious D were scheduled to perform at Newcastle Entertainment Centre on Tuesday, July 16, but the show had been postponed prior to Black’s statement, according to promoter Frontier Touring. The comedy duo was meant to be on the road in Australia and New Zealand through July 26. They also recently announced a five-show run leading up to the U.S. presidential election in partnership with Rock the Vote.
“Anything less than a deportation is an endorsement of the shooting and the attempted assassination of Donald J. Trump,” Senator Ralph Babet of the United Australia Party wrote on social media on Monday. He also urged Andrew Giles, the country’s immigration minister, to revoke Tenacious D’s visas.