What you said about Tenacious D joke about Donald Trump assassination attempt

It was the “joke” that is proving anything but funny. But was the Tenacious D joke about Donald Trump in poor taste? HAVE YOUR SAY

• Rudd blasts Tenacious D as tour axed

It was the “joke” that is proving anything but funny.

Comedian Jack Black cancelled his Tenacious D tour after saying he was “blindsided” by jokes against Donald Trump during his Sydney concert.

The rockers were set to play six shows across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Adelaide, Wellington and Auckland, all of which have now been cancelled.

See what you had to say below and join the conversation >>>

Bandmate Kyle Gass was given a birthday wish on stage and asked that a potential assassin “Don’t miss Trump next time”.

“I was blindsided by what was said at the show on Sunday. I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form,” Black said on social media.

“After much reflection, I no longer feel it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold.”

Gass also apologised for the “improvised” joke made on onstage in Sydney, saying it was “highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake”.

“I don’t condone violence of any kind, in any form, against anyone,” Gass added.

Australia’s ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd, meanwhile, blasted the comments, saying “these people should just grow up and find a decent job.”

Readers were quick to chime in too.

Many slammed the joke as in poor taste; others, however, defended it by saying free speech should remain untouched.

And some claimed it is all an over-reaction.

See what you had to say below and join the conversation >>>

Jack Black's band member from Tenacious D, Kyle Gass, said he has a birthday wish:

"Don't miss Trump next time."

These people are more twisted and vile than we realized. And shame on all of the people in the crowd who thought this "joke" was funny. pic.twitter.com/b6rBNLcBp0

— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) July 15, 2024

WHAT YOU SAID

An over-reaction

Jenny

Offended by words…omg what have we become

Jim Royle

Interesting reaction, quite a lot of people I’ve met have said similar. but I guess what you can say/think among friends is different to publicly

Jennifer

Plenty of talented musicians in Australia just get one to replace him & continue with the tour. Wasn’t the bands fault, just the view of one of the band members that he was silly enough to say out loud.

Patricia

Everyone needs to lighten up.

Tell Someone who cares.

not at all offended and great over reaction

Kevin Rudd at the Republican Convention where Donald Trump revealed his VP pick. Picture: Supplied / ABC Pool

It’s a bad look

SUZANNE

Yes, we must have free speech but like everything else there are responsibilities that go with it.

Jason

This was an attack on Democracy. Anyone making a joke from it or rationalising it just doesn’t understand it or is simply callous and cruel.

The guru

Free speech is things I agree with. Hate speech is things I don’t agree with.

Tuan

Awesome gesture! Freedom of speech must be in the right manner and context…!

Enrico

I’d like to think we are still a decent country and have no place for this sort of public hatred.

Karen

Send him packing, he is a guest in our country and needs to show us and others respect. These people think good manners and decent behaviour does not apply to them. Sadly this type of nonsense has become more prevalent, divisive and arrogant. We don’t need you!

Ray

I love all these comments about freedom of speech, doesn’t work for footballers who make a slight racist comment, there are limits on freedom of speech and in some cases so there should be, like in this instance.

Hollywood star Jack Black and Kyle Gass at the Sydney concert. Photo: Tom Parrish

No issues from me

David

I’m confused like many other I see. Free speech. Does it exists? It appears not. I heard on a talkback show on the radio on Monday a guy saying that the shooter missed and the announcer straight away stop the call as he didn’t like what he said. Where is free speech or even thinking out loud is wrong?

Dan

This is precisely free speech. It goes all ways. We can do and say as we please, but so can others in response/disgust.

Robert

It’s all one way. Criticism of conservatives is OK. Criticism of the left is a no-no because they are intellectually superior, so the thinking goes.

Roger

I’ve heard that comment from a lot of people. Not all, but a lot.