Meta Description: Discover the controversy surrounding Tenacious D’s Kyle Gass and his comments about Trump. Learn about the backlash, tour cancellations, and Jack Black’s response.
Tenacious D Controversy: Kyle Gass’s Comments Ignite Backlash
Comedy rock icons Tenacious D are facing significant backlash this week following controversial comments made by Kyle Gass during an onstage appearance in Sydney, Australia. The incident occurred on Gass’s 64th birthday when he was presented with a cake and told to make a wish. He responded with, “Don’t miss Trump next time,” referring to the recent assassination attempt on the former president.
Viral Social Media and Political Repercussions
These comments quickly sparked controversy after fan-shot videos appeared on social media. Australian senator Ralph Babet even called for Tenacious D to be deported from the country, stating, “Anything less than a deportation is an endorsement of the shooting and the attempted assassination of Donald J. Trump.”
Impact on Tenacious D’s Tour
Following the backlash, Tenacious D’s scheduled performance in Newcastle, Australia, was abruptly cancelled. This cancellation has cast uncertainty over the rest of the duo’s tour of Australia and New Zealand. In a statement to Far Out, Jack Black publicly acknowledged the controversy for the first time.
“I was blindsided by what was said at the show on Sunday,” Black wrote. “I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form.” He concluded, “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.”
Future of Tenacious D
Whether this marks the end of Tenacious D remains to be seen, but the controversy has undeniably shaken the duo. The band has always maintained a staunch political standpoint, previously advocating for the Democratic Party during elections. However, these comments, made so soon after the attempted assassination of a former president, were too close to the bone for many fans.
The Incident and Its Aftermath
On Saturday, a 20-year-old gunman fired eight rounds at Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania. Although the perpetrator did not mortally wound the politician, a spectator was killed, and many more were seriously injured.
At the time of writing, tickets for the North American leg of the Tenacious D tour, scheduled for autumn, are still available for purchase. However, it is unclear whether those shows will proceed as planned.
