Tenacious D cancel tour and “future creative plans” following backlash to Trump assassination joke

Currently facing a big online backlash following an onstage joke in Australia, Tenacious D have seemingly just gone on hiatus.

Jack Black has announced today (July 16) that the duo’s current tour down under has been cancelled, and “all future creative plans” have been put on hold, after Kyle Gass made a comment about the attempted assassination of Donald Trump over the weekend.

At the ICC Sydney Theatre on Sunday, July 14, just a few hours after the Pennsylvania shooting, Kyle was presented a cake to celebrate his 64th birthday. When asked to make a wish, Kyle replied in front of the crowd: “Don’t miss Trump next time.” (Watch the video below.)

Since then, Australian senator Ralph Babet demanded that the comedy rock duo be deported from the country, and now after going massively viral for the incident, Jack Black has in the last hour posted a statement about the situation.

“I was blindsided by what was said at the show on Sunday,” Jack writes. “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, and all future creative plans are on hold. I am grateful to the fans for their support and understanding.”

See the statement below:

Kyle himself has said that, “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 judgement. I profoundly apologise to those I’ve let down and truly regret any pain I’ve caused.”

And watch the video of the moment in Sydney.