Their current tour has been cancelled immediately
Jack Black has announced all Tenacious D plans are “on hold” after his bandmate Kyle Gass caused outrage with a comment about Donald Trump’s assassination attempt.
During a show at the ICC Theatre in Sydney, Australia, on July 14, the comedy rock group celebrated Gass’ 64th birthday. In footage captured by those in attendance, Gass is presented a cake by his bandmate Black, who asks him to make a wish as he blows at the candles.
Gass then responds: “Don’t miss Trump next time,” prompting laughter from the audience.
The comments have sparked fury online, with people accusing Gass of glorifying gun violence and wishing Trump dead.
Black has since announced that he has cancelled the Tenacious D tour as a result of the comments.
In a statement on Instagram, he said he was “blindsided” by what Gass said, adding that he would “never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form.”
He continued: “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 himself has apologised for the comment, saying it was a “severe lack of judgement.”
He wrote: “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 anyone. What happened was a tragedy, and I’m incredibly sorry for my severe lack of judgement. I profoundly apologise to those I’ve let down and truly regret any pain I’ve caused.”
The 64-year-old has also split from his agent because of the controversy, the BBC reports.
On July 13, Trump was hit in the ear by a bullet at a rally in Pennsylvania when a gunman fired at him from a nearby rooftop.
Trump quickly ducked to the ground as he was swarmed by security, and when he stood up blood could be seen on his ear, which appeared to have been grazed by a bullet.
The gunman was identified by the FBI as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks. He had positioned himself on a roof approximately 200 yards away from where the rally was taking place and was shot dead by security forces.
One man was killed in the attack in Saturday. Corey Comperatore, a husband and father of two, died trying to protect his family during the shooting.
Two other people were critically injured.
