Jack Black cancels Tenacious D tour after partner’s Trump shooting joke
Actor and musician Jack Black said Tuesday he is canceling the remaining shows on Tenacious D’s tour after his partner in the comedy rock duo, Kyle Gass, poked fun at the assassination attempt of former President Trump during a Sunday show in Australia.
“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, a supporter of President Biden’s reelection bid, posted to Instagram on Tuesday.
“After much reflection, I no longer feel it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold,” Black continued. “I am grateful to the fans for their support and understanding.”
His announcement followed intense backlash to a joke made by Gass after Black presented him with a birthday cake onstage Sunday and told him to “make a wish.”
In response, according to video footage, Gass said, “Don’t miss Trump next time.”
The remark came the day after Trump was wounded in an assassination attempt at a campaign event in Pennsylvania. Trump’s ear was bloodied, and he was rushed off stage by Secret Service agents. He was not critically injured. One attendee was killed and two others were injured.
Republicans and Democrats have in the days since issued broad condemnations of political violence and have largely called for a deescalation in political rhetoric.
Black appeared at a star-studded campaign event last month to fundraise for Biden.