Jack Black has claimed he was blindsided by his Tenacious D’s bandmate tasteless comments about the assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump.
The School of Rock actor issued a statement on Tuesday, saying he has decided to cancel the comedy band’s tour – and that all creative plans are on hold – after bandmate Kyle Gass expressed he wished that Trump’s would-be assassin hadn’t missed.
‘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 told DailyMail.com in a statement.
‘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.’
Black and his band are currently on Spicy Meatball Tour. (L-R) Kyle Gass, Jack Black and bassist John Spike
Tenacious D was on stage in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday when Black brought a birthday cake for bandmate Kyle Gass and asked him to make a wish.
Gass, 64, replied: ‘Don’t miss Trump next time.’
The crowd mostly responded with cheering and laughing, with just a few disappointed reactions.
Gass also issued his own statement on Tuesday, 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 judgment. I profoundly apologize to those I’ve let down and truly regret any pain I’ve caused.’
Gass also issued his own statement on Tuesday, writing: ‘The line I improvised onstage Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake’
Last month, Black, 54, delivered a speech at a star-studded fundraiser in Los Angeles for president Joe Biden, where he said ‘democracy was at stake’ in November.
The event, which raised more than $30million, was also attended by former president Barack Obama, George Clooney, Julia Roberts and Barbra Streisand.
Black and his band were on the Spicy Meatball Tour, which kicked off in May and was set to wrap on July 26, 2024.
Many social media users expressed indignation over Gass’ comments about Trump.
Conservative editor Brandon Morse wrote: ‘And with that, any love I had for Jack Black and Tenacious D is gone.’
Last month, Black, 54, delivered a speech at a star-studded fundraiser in Los Angeles for president Joe Biden , where he said ‘democracy was at stake’ in November
Ring-wing commentator Charlie Kirk added: ‘These people are more twisted and vile than we realized. And shame on all of the people in the crowd who thought this “joke” was funny.’
X user Collin Rugg said: ‘Maybe, just maybe, these people are actually the evil ones.’
Australian senator Ralph Babet joined a chorus of outraged voices and asked for the band to be deported following Gass’ controversial comments.
In the wake of the shooting that killed one spectator on Saturday, investigators were hunting for any clues about what may have drove Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, to carry out the shocking attack.
The FBI said they were investigating it as a potential act of domestic terrorism , but the absence of a clear ideological motive by the man shot dead by the Secret Service led conspiracy theories to flourish.
The FBI said it believes Crooks, who had bomb-making materials in the car he drove to the rally, acted alone.