A controversial comment on stage over the weekend has forced many to condemn the band
Jack Black has canceled the remainder of Tenacious D’s The Spicy Meatball Tour following a controversial comment made by duo partner Kyle Gass on stage in Australia over the weekend. Gass came under fire on Sunday (July 14th) when he made an off-color remark about the assassination attempt of Donald Trump that happened less than a day earlier at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
In fan-captured footage, Black presents Gass with a cake on stage for his 64th birthday, telling him to “make a wish.” After briefly pausing, Gass comments, “Don’t miss Trump next time.” The audience erupted with laughter. However, many criticized Gass and the band, with one Australian senator demanding they be removed from the country.
“Tenacious D should be immediately removed from the country after wishing for the assassination of Donald Trump at their Sydney concert,” Senator Ralph Babet said in a statement shared on social media.
“I condemn in the strongest possible way the call to political violence by Tenacious D in Sydney on Sunday,” the United Australia Party Senator said.
“To advocate and or wish for the assassination of a President is egregious, disgusting, filthy, evil, and not acceptable in any way, shape or form.
“This was not a joke, he was deadly serious when he wished for the death of the President.
“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.
“Anything less than deportation is an endorsement of the shooting and attempted assassination of Donald J. Trump, the 45th and soon-to-be 47th President of the United States.
“Australia wrongly locked up Novak Djokovic and deported him because he allegedly undermined public trust in vaccination. Allowing Tenacious D to remain in Australia after calling for the death of a President is unthinkable, and it affirms the weakness of our current Prime Minister,” Senator Babet added.
Today (Tues, July 16th), Black made a public statement regarding the incident, stating he was “blindsided” by the comment and that the band’s future is on hold.
“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 shares on social media. “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.”
Gass has apologized for his gaff, stating the comment was “dangerous.”
“The line I improvised onstage Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous and terrible mistake,” he writes. “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 judgment. I profoundly apologize to those I’ve let down and truly regret any pain I’ve caused.”
The tour was to hit seven cities through Australia and New Zealand through next week, including Newcastle tonight.
Tenacious D launched The Spicy Meatball Tour last year, performing in 24 cities and selling out London’s O2 the week it was announced. They released their latest hit song “Video Games,” their first new track in five years, and paid tribute to Chris Issak with a viral hit take on his classic “Wicked Game.” Earlier this year, the group released a raucous cover of Britney Spears’ “…Baby One More Time” for DreamWorks Animation’s Kung Fu Panda 4 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. Finally in December 2023, Black delivered another smash with his surprise hit ballad “Peaches” from the Super Mario Brothers Movie.
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