Jack Black cancels Tenacious D’s Australian tour due to anger over Trump joke

Jack Black’s band Tenacious D have sparked backlash after a “disgusting” joke made by band member Kyle Gass about the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. The band have since postponed their Newcastle gig just hours before the doors were set to open. The Federalist’s election correspondent Brianna Lyman joined Sky News presenter Steve Price to discuss the “disheartening and disgusting” comment made in the wake of Trump’s assassination attempt.

At the band’s second show at the Sydney International Convention and Exhibition Centre on Sunday, band member Kyle Gass was presented with a cake while Happy Birthday was sung to him, before being asked to make a wish.

Gass said his wish was to “not miss Trump next time,” a reference to the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, U.S. time.

Hollywood actor and frontman Jack Black, 54, announced the cancellation of the tour on Tuesday night – two days after the inappropriate comment.

The band’s show at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre was initially postponed of its own accord, before Black decided it would be wrong to continue the tour.

Fans will not be treated to upcoming concerts in Brisbane on July 18, Melbourne on July 20 and Adelaide on July 22 before two concerts in New Zealand next week.

“I was taken aback by what was said on Sunday’s show. I will never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form,” Black said in an Instagram post.

“After careful consideration, I no longer believe it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative projects are on hold.

“I am grateful to the fans for their support and understanding.”

Gass, 64, apologized for his joke in an Instagram post Tuesday night.

“The line I improvised on stage on Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake,” he said.

“I do not condone any form of violence against anyone. What happened was a tragedy, and I am deeply sorry for my serious lapse in judgment.

“I deeply apologize to those I have let down and sincerely regret any pain I have caused.”

Fans took to a Reddit thread to express their displeasure at not being able to see the band Down Under.

“I had a ticket for their show on Thursday. I’m super disappointed now,” one wrote.

“I had a ticket for tonight. I was gutted when they cancelled. I was looking forward to it,” said one fan who was planning to go to the Newcastle show.

“I would say I’m disappointed, but honestly I’m just more annoyed. $300 for tickets, almost lost $200 for a hotel night, going to have to cancel babysitting plans,” commented a third.

Australia’s ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd, who Trump called “nasty” in an interview with Nigel Farage earlier this year, condemned Tenacious D’s joke as “sick”.

“These are threats to physical life; this is the near assassination of a former and future president of the United States, based on the votes of the American people,” he told news.com.au.

“This is the killing of innocent civilians and the serious injury of two people.

“These people need to grow up and find decent work.”