Jack Black appears to have canceled the Tenacious D tour after bandmate Kyle Gass joked about the attempted assassination of Donald Trump on the weekend.
Here’s a timeline of the controversy.
July 13: Trump is shot during a campaign rally.
On Saturday, a gunman, later identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, tried to assassinate Trump as he gave a speech at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
Crooks wounded Trump’s ear before the Secret Service shielded him. Crooks killed a rally attendee, Corey Comperatore, and critically injured two others. The Secret Service fired back at Crooks, killing him.
The attack was met with criticism from both Republicans and Democrats.
Addressing on Saturday the nation after the shooting, President Joe Biden said “There’s no place in America for this kind of violence.”
July 14: Kyle Gass says, “Don’t miss Trump next time.”
On Sunday, Tenacious D’s bandmate Jack Black paused their Sydney show so the crowd could sing happy birthday to Gass, who turned 64.
A person in a robot costume presented Gass with a cake, and Black told his bandmate to make a wish.
Gass said, “Don’t miss Trump next time,” before blowing out the candles.
KGs birthday wish “don’t miss #trump next time” #tenaciousd #sydney #birthday
It is unclear from videos of the concert whether Black was in on the joke, but the actor moves on with the birthday celebration without responding to Gass.
Black is the more successful one of the pair, having spent decades cultivating his goofy image in films including “Kung Fu Panda” and “Rock School.” He may fear that being associated with this controversy could dampen his star power.
July 15: Elon Musk and others criticize Tenacious D on social media.
While some fans laughed at Gass’ comment, others said it was too soon to joke about the attack and accused Tenacious D of inciting violence against Trump.
One critic, who works for the conservative organization State Freedom Caucus Network, linked Gass’ comment to Black endorsing Biden for president at a fundraiser in Los Angeles in June.
Elon Musk responded to this comment with “contemptible.”
Contemptible
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 15, 2024
Black has repeatedly criticized Trump, including calling him a “piece of shit” when receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2018.
July 15: Australian politician calls for Tenacious D to be deported.
Later that day, Australian senator Ralph Babet of the right-wing populist United Australia Party shared a press release calling for Tenacious D to be deported. Their show on Sunday was the first of the Australia and New Zealand leg of their “Spicy Meatball” tour.
“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,” Babet said. “This was not a joke, he was deadly serious when he wished for the death of the President.”
There is no place in Australia for those who wish for the assassination of others. pic.twitter.com/wuvgQxeeDS
— Senator Babet (@senatorbabet) July 16, 2024
Babet called on Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese and immigration minister Andrew Giles to denounce the band and revoke their visas. Tenacious D has four more concerts scheduled in Australia.
“Anything less than a deportation is an endorsement of the shooting and the attempted assassination of Donald J. Trump, the 45th and soon-to-be 47th President of the United States,” Babbet added.
July 16: Tenacious D’s next concert is postponed hours before it was scheduled to begin.
Frontier Touring, Tenacious D’s promoters, announced on Tuesday that the band’s next Australian show was postponed.
“Ticket holders are asked to hold onto their tickets until further information is available,” Frontier Touring wrote on Facebook.
News.com.au reported that Frontier Touring made the announcement at 3:30 p.m. Australian Eastern Standard Time. The show was supposed to begin at 7 p.m. AEST.
There was no indication that the postponement was linked to the Trump controversy.
July 16: Jack Black says he was blindsided by Gass’ comments and won’t continue Tenacious D tour.
On Tuesday, Black said in a statement on social media: “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.
“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.”
The band is yet to make a statement on the canceled tour.
Representatives for Frontier Touring, Gass, and Trump did not immediately respond to a comment request from Business Insider.
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