Tenacious D's Kyle Gass has been fired by his agent Michael Green of Greene Talent in the wake of Gus' onstage joke about the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, Greene confirmed with Advertising sign. The news was first reported by Rolling rock.
The joke was made during a Tenacious D show at the ICC Syndey Theater in Sydney on Sunday (July 14) after Gass' Tenacious D partner Jack Black begged him to “make a wish” when Gass was presented with a birthday cake at scene. Gus responded, “Don't miss Trump next time,” a reference to the assassination attempt on the former president (and newly crowned Republican presidential nominee) during a rally in Butler, Pa. on Saturday (July 13). The tragic incident resulted in the death of one audience member and serious injuries to two others.
After the video of Gus' prank began circulating online, Black wrote via Instagram on Tuesday (July 16) that he was “blindsided” by the comment and that “and all future creative plans” for the duo will be put on hold . “I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form,” he added.
Gus simultaneously issued his own statement apologizing for the remark, saying: “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.”
Tenacious D and Australian tour producer Frontier Touring canceled a total of six shows following the backlash: Newcastle (July 16), July 18 (Brisbane), July 20 (Melbourne), July 22 (Adelaide), July 24 (Wellington) ) and July 26 (Auckland). As of press time, there is no word on whether the duo will continue to play five dates scheduled for October on the Rock D Vote tour of the US states ahead of the presidential election.
A representative for Gass did not immediately respond Advertising signUser request for comment on this story.
On Tuesday, Australian Senator Ralph Babette of the United Australia Party released a statement condemning Tenacious D and calling for the duo's immediate removal from the country. He also called the prime minister Anthony Albanese to join him in the complaint against the group and asked the Minister of Immigration Andrew Giles “Revoke their visas and deport them immediately.” He added: “Anything short of deportation is an endorsement of the shooting and attempted murder” of Trump.
Trump took the stage on the first night of the Republican National Convention on Monday (July 15) with a bandage over his right ear, which was grazed by a bullet during the assassination attempt. The former president also announced Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his running mate on Monday.
Authorities are still looking for a motive for the shooter, a 20-year-old registered Republican who was killed by Secret Service snipers after firing several rounds using an AR-15 rifle.
Black and Gass formed Tenacious D in 1994 when they were both members of the theater group The Actors' Gang. The duo has released a total of four studio albums and also starred in their own self-titled HBO series that ran from 1997 to 2000.
