Tenacious D, the comedy rock band featuring Jack Black and Kyle Gass, has faced backlash after an apparent joke by Gass about an assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump. The comment led to the postponement of their show in Australia.
During a concert in Sydney, Black presented Gass with a birthday cake onstage, prompting Gass to quip, “Don’t miss Trump next time.” This remark was captured on video and posted on social media, igniting controversy.
An Australian lawmaker demanded the band’s deportation following the incident. Frontier Touring announced the postponement of the Newcastle, New South Wales show scheduled for Tuesday via Instagram.
Australian senator Ralph Babet condemned the comment, calling it unacceptable and urging the Australian government to deport the band members. Babet stated, “To advocate and or wish for the assassination of a President is egregious, disgusting, filthy, evil, and not acceptable in any way, shape or form.”
Babet called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Immigration Minister Andrew Giles to revoke the band members’ visas. Australian radio host Kyle Sandilands also criticized the band and stated he would not participate in future interviews with Tenacious D.
Despite the controversy, Tenacious D is slated to perform in Brisbane on Thursday, followed by shows in Melbourne, Adelaide, New Zealand, and the US, as per their website.
In response to the attempt on Trump’s life, US President Joe Biden condemned political violence, emphasizing the need for unity and denouncing such actions.