‘Sick, get a job’: Rudd unleashes on Tenacious D

Now Canberra’s man in the US, Kevin Rudd has hit out at Tenacious D, saying the band’s comments about Donald Trump made him “ill”.

Kevin Rudd has unleashed on Jack Black’s music group Tenacious D stating that a joke made in Sydney by a band member about the near assassination of Donald Trump made him feel “physically ill” and they should “grow up and get a decent job”.

The former prime minister, who is now the Australian ambassador to the US, spoke to news.com.au on the sidelines of the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee.

The RNC is entering its second day with Mr Trump, who is now the official Republican candidate for President, making a dramatic entrance on Monday with his ear bandaged.

Mr Rudd, who is spending the week trying to woo Republicans to Australia’s cause, also revealed he was in a “texting relationship,” with Mr Trump’s newly announced running mate JD Vance. Additionally he responded to comments Mr Trump made about him where he called the Queenslander “nasty”.

Tenacious D are in a hole lot of bother after comments that's Kyle Gass (L) made in front of Jack Black in Sydney about Donald Trump. (Photo by Scott Legato/Getty Images)

Actor Jack Black, widely known for his roles in the Kung Fu Panda films and School of Rock, took to social media to say he was “blindsided” by comments made by his Tenacious D bandmate Kyle Gass at their Sydney concert.

Gass was presented with a birthday cake by Sydney’s ICC Theatre on Sunday night, hours after Mr Trump was almost killed, and was asked to make a wish.

“Don’t miss Trump next time,” Gass said, sparking laughter from the 9000-strong crowd.

The remark led United Australia Senator Ralph Babet to call for Tenacious D to be deported from the country.

In Milwaukee on Tuesday, Mr Rudd slammed the remarks by Gass.

“It makes me feel sick someone would joke about violence. Physically ill,” he told news.com.au.

“People might think it’s a bit of ‘funny haha’ at a concert to run off at the mouth off about this stuff.

“It’s not,” he said.

Kevin Rudd at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Picture: Benedict Brook / News.com.au

“It’s about threats to physical life; it’s about the near assassination of a former and prospective President of the United States, depending on the votes of the American people.

“It’s about the murder of innocent civilians and two people being seriously wounded.

“These people need to grow up and find a decent job”.

Mr Trump was injured at the event in Pennsylvania on Saturday. Off duty firefighter Corey Comperatore was killed and two others seriously injured.

Tenacious D initially postponed its Tuesday night concert in Newcastle. Now the remainder of the tour has been cancelled outright, Black announced on social media.

“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,” he said in a post on Instagram on Tuesday evening.

“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.”

Kevin Rudd has been doing the rounds in the Republican National Convention including with Michael Waltz, who served with Australians in Afghanistan.

‘Texting relationship’

Mr Rudd said he was in Milwaukee with a team of Australian diplomats and officials to meet Republicans prior to the November election.

Australia is keen to sure initiatives, such as the AUKUS nuclear submarines, aren’t derailed should a future Trump White House.

Mr Trump also said he and Mr Vance had been in text contact.

“Most recently I’ve had a text exchange with Senator JD Vance and conveyed to him my comments immediately following the assassination attempt on Saturday.

“I haven’t got around to sending him send him a congratulatory text yet (on him becoming the VP pick).

“I certainly read his book Hillbilly Elegy. It’s a really provocative book and I’d recommend it to any Australian seeking to understand who JD Vance is.

“There’s a there’s a wide fabric of relationships between myself as ambassador and a vast array of individuals who would be likely to form the nucleus of an incoming Trump administration,” he added.

JD Vance could be the next US Vice President, (Photo by Kevin Dietsch / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Trump comments

There has been a wrinkle in that relationship though.

In March, UK populist politician and now MP Nigel Farage, interviewed Mr Trump and read out some of Mr Rudd’s previous tweets.

That included one where Mr Rudd called Mr Trump: “The most destructive president in history”.

US President Donald Trump listens as Nigel Farage speaks during a rally in 2020. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP)

Mr Trump seemed unsure who Mr Rudd was but nonetheless laid into him.

“I don’t know much about him. I heard he was a little bit nasty. I hear he’s not the brightest bulb.”

He added Mr Rudd “would not be there for long,” if he got re-elected.

Mr Rudd didn’t row back the comments but said they were from “some time back”.

“A whole range of people have had interesting things to say about President T ump including John Howard and Tony Abbott.

“The job of an ambassador is to engage with the full breadth of political opinion both among Republicans and Democrats and that’s what I’ve been doing”.

Mr Vance is expected to address the Republican National Convention on Wednesday, US time. Mr Trump will close out the event on Thursday (Friday morning AEST).