Actor and musician Jack Black has been forced to cancel the remainder of his Tenacious D tour after he was “blindsided” by his bandmate’s comments.
Tenacious D, which features Black and Kyle Gass, were touring Australia when former president Donald Trump miraculously survived an assassination attempt.
During a performance in Sydney just one day after the shooting, Gass was presented with a birthday cake during their set. After blowing out the candles and being told to make a wish, Gass said, “don’t miss Trump next time” in reference to the assassination attempt.
The staunchly pro-Joe Biden Black originally thanked Gass for his comments as members of the audience laughed and applauded.
However, following large scale backlash – including a deportation demand by an Australian Senator Ralph Babet – Black later addressed the remarks via Instagram.
“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 wrote on the social media platform. “After much reflection, I no longer feel it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold.”
Gass subsequently apologized for his comments, expressing that the “improvised” line was “highly inappropriate, dangerous, and a terrible mistake”.
Social media commenters on X were skeptical of Black’s condoning of Gass’ remarks given his initial onstage reaction.
Other users noted the seemingly ironic instance of a left-wing Hollywood star being canceled.
