Jack Black says Tenacious D will be back after canceling tour over Kyle Gass's Trump joke
Tenacious D is on a break, but the duo is not breaking up.
After bandmate Kyle Gass's joke about the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, the band canceled all its remaining tour dates amid the backlash. However, Jack Black said they'll "be back" soon.
"We need to take a break. Everybody needs a break sometime," the Borderlands actor told Variety, confirming he's spoken to Gass in the last month. "Yeah, we’re friends. That hasn't changed. These things take time sometimes," Black continued. "And we'll be back when it feels right."
Black echoed similar sentiments to Entertainment Tonight. Here's what's going on.
➡️ What happened?
One day after Trump was shot at a rally in Butler, Pa., Tenacious D performed in Sydney, Australia. It was Gass's birthday, so Black brought out a cake onstage. When the actor asked his friend to make a wish, Gass replied: "Don't miss Trump next time."
❌ Black announced mid-tour "all future creative plans are on hold" with the band
The actor publicly condemned Gass's joke.
"I was blindsided by what was said at the show on Sunday," he said in a July 16 statement on Instagram. "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. ... I am grateful to the fans for their support and understanding."
🗣️ Gass apologized — then deleted his apology
The musician issued a mea culpa on Instagram for his "improvised onstage" remark after widespread backlash, calling it a "highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake."
"I don't condone violence of any kind, in any form, against anyone," he wrote in the message. "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."
The post was deleted days later, but the "Spicy Meatball Tour" was already put on pause, and the musician was dropped by Greene Talent. It's unclear if he has found new representation.
