Tenacious D has announced that they have canceled their tour and put all future creative plans on hold after band member Kyle Gass made a controversial comment about the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. During a live show in Sydney, Jack Black sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to his bandmate Gass before asking him to make a wish. Gass then said, “Don’t miss Trump next time.” The remark was made after the failed assassination attempt on the former President at a rally in Pennsylvania where a shooter fired at Trump, but only grazed his right ear. The incident claimed the life of one attendant at the event, while two others were critically injured. The shooter has since been identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, who was shot dead at the scene by a Secret Service sniper.
Australian federal senator Ralph Babet issued a letter calling for Black and Gass to be deported from Australia: “Tenacious D should be immediately removed from the country after wishing for the assassination of Donald Trump at their Sydney concert.” Babet also urged Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to denounce Tenacious D, revoke their visas and deport them. The duo’s scheduled gig at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre has been postponed. Now, Black has issued a statement online saying he was “blindsided by what was said at the show.” He added that it was never his intention to condone hate speech or encourage political violence.
Black went on to say that after much reflection, he no longer felt it was appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold. Gass also issued a separate statement apologizing for his remark, saying it was highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake. He added that he does not condone violence of any kind against anyone and he profoundly apologized to those he’s let down and truly regret any pain he’s caused. Tenacious D had six shows remaining on their current tour of Australia and New Zealand. In October, they were set to embark on a run of dates in North America.
Following the Trump assassination attempt, many figures in the entertainment world shared their reactions, including 50 Cent, M.I.A., Kid Rock, and Freddie Gibbs, while fans of Lana Del Rey posted memes on social media. Meanwhile, Trump made a public return at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. He entered the event with a bandage strapped over his right ear and fist-pumped the air. In other news, an episode of The Simpsons was removed from Channel 4’s schedule in the wake of the Trump rally shooting
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