Jack Black has officially pulled the plug on the Tenacious D tour after his bandmate, Kyle Gass, made a seriously controversial comment that has the internet ablaze.
Here’s the scoop: during a birthday celebration for Gass, Jack Black, ever the showman, presented him with a cake and asked him to “make a wish.” And in what can only be described as a jaw-dropping moment of poor judgment, Gass quipped, “Don’t miss Trump next time.” Yep, you read that right. This all went down after former President Donald Trump was the target of an assassination attempt on July 13, 2024, while speaking at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
I used to love @tenaciousd and thought Jack Black was funny. None of them or their music/movies will ever be played in our home again. Ever. Sickening. Not funny and done in a foreign country is even worse. If you think it’s OK, unfollow and block me. pic.twitter.com/2KG2uzUKEY
— Chris Loesch 𝕏 (@ChrisLoesch) July 15, 2024
Naturally, the internet did what it does best – it blew up. The comment went viral faster than you can say “rock gods,” and the backlash was immediate and intense. Fans, critics, and just about everyone with a Twitter account weighed in, and the consensus was clear: not cool, Kyle.
Jack Black, ever the class act and consummate professional, was “blindsided” by the comment and made the tough call to cancel the Tenacious D tour. He took to social media to address the situation, expressing his disappointment and setting the record straight. “I was blindsided by Kyle’s response,” Black said. “I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form.”
Jack didn’t stop there. He went on to explain, “After much reflection, I no longer feel it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold.” It’s a heavy blow for fans, but a necessary one given the circumstances.
Kyle Gass, realizing the magnitude of his misstep, offered an apology on his Instagram. “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.”
This whole debacle is a stark reminder that words have weight, especially when you’re in the public eye. What was likely intended as a tasteless joke has resulted in a full-blown PR nightmare and the cancellation of a highly anticipated tour.