Tenacious D—the longtime rock duo comprised of Jack Black and Kyle Gass—may have staged its final show. Black announced on Tuesday that he’d be stepping back from the musical group after his bandmate made a controversial remark regarding the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. Shortly after Black’s announcement, Gass apologized for his onstage comment and condemned “violence of any kind.”
During a performance in Sydney on Sunday—only a day after shots were fired at Trump during his rally in rural Pennsylvania—Gass celebrated his 64th birthday onstage. Black asked his bandmate to “make a wish” as he blew out candles on a birthday cake. “Don’t miss Trump next time,” Gass replied, to some laughter from the audience.
X content
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
“I was blindsided by what was said at the show on Sunday,” Black wrote on Instagram Tuesday. “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.”
Shortly thereafter, Gass made his own statement, writing, “The line I improvised onstage Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake. I don’t condone violence of any kind, in any form, against anyone. What happened was a tragedy, and I’m incredibly sorry for my severe lack of judgement. I profoundly apologize to those I’ve let down and truly regret any pain I’ve caused.”
Backlash to Gass’s comment was swift. The pair’s next show in Newcastle, Australia, was postponed, the concert promoter announced in a Facebook post, and an Australian senator asked that Black and Gass be deported from the country. “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,” Ralph Babet, a United Australia Party senator, said in a statement.
Black and Gass have both previously opposed Trump. At a recent starry pro-Biden fundraiser in Los Angeles, Black joked that if Biden wins, “I’m pretty sure I’m going to get a sweet shout-out in his victory speech.” Last month, Tenacious D announced a series of “Rock D Vote” concerts in US swing states ahead of the November presidential election. According to their website, they had 11 dates left of their Spicy Meatball Tour, which was set to conclude on October 26 in Pennsylvania—the state where Thomas Crooks allegedly attempted to assassinate Trump.
More Great Stories From Vanity Fair
Inside Kamala Harris’s Loyal Circle of Hollywood Friends
Peter Thiel, J.D. Vance, and the Dangerous Dance of the New Right
The Untold Stories of Humphrey Bogart’s Volatile Life
The Truth About Meghan, Harry, and Their California Dream
Inside California’s Freedom-Loving, Bible-Thumping Hub of Hard Tech
The Best TV Shows of 2024, So Far
Listen Now: VF’s Still Watching Podcast Dissects House of the Dragon