Tenacious D have canceled the rest of their Australian and New Zealand tour dates after the duo's Kyle Gass joked about the assassination attempt on former President Donald J. Trump. “I was blindsided by what was said on Sunday's show,” Gus' partner Jack Black wrote in a statement. “I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form.”
Black continued, “After much consideration, 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.”
At a recent show in Sydney, Australia, Black led the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday” to Gass and encouraged his teammate to blow out the candles on his birthday cake and make a wish. “Don't lose Trump next time,” Gass wished, referring to 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks' attempt to shoot the former president at a campaign rally near Butler, Pennsylvania. (One attendee, Corey Comperatore, was killed by Crooks and two other men were seriously injured.)
In his own statement, Gus wrote: “The line I improvised on stage in Sydney on Sunday night was wildly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake. I do not condone violence of any kind, in any form, against anyone. What happened was a tragedy and I am incredibly sorry for my severe lack of judgment. I deeply apologize to those I have disappointed and truly regret any pain I have caused.”
Jack Black and Kyle Gass are outspoken critics of Trump, and the band recently announced a series of Midwest concerts to support the nonprofit Rock the Vote.
