NZTV hosts slammed for ‘sick’ Donald Trump stunt

A bizarre on-air stunt by morning TV hosts has resurfaced on social media in the wake of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump.

A bizarre on-air stunt from New Zealand television has resurfaced in the wake of the botched assassination attempt on Donald Trump over the weekend.

In the 2023 segment, hosts on the NZ TV morning show Breakfast road-tested a bug spray device shaped like a gun, using a Donald Trump figurine as “target training”.

The segment lasted for several minutes, as several of the hosts took turns aiming the rifle-shaped bug spray gun at the mini Trump figurine.

New Zealand outlet The Post reported the nation’s Broadcasting Standards Authority received three viewer complaints about the segment at the time, “including that it was offensive and disturbing content, and that it promoted illegal or anti-social behaviour.”

The hosts had their target...

...and their “gun.”

Viewers who complained argued the segment implied it was “OK to shoot politicians”.

TV NZ reportedly disputed those claims, arguing the segment was lighthearted in tone, and the BSA found the segment had not breached broadcasting guidelines.

“We consider it was clear the segment was intended as a joke and was consistent with discussion typically featured on Breakfast,” the BSA said at the time.

A NZ TV presenter takes aim at a small Trump figurine on the desk.

What a difference an assassination attempt makes: The clip has found new life online since Sunday, with political party ACT New Zealand sharing it on YouTube along with the caption “This segment of Breakfast’s hosts shooting a Trump doll has not aged well.”

Commenters called the segment “disgusting”, “unprofessional” and “just sick”.

Over on TikTok the sentiment was the same: “This is shocking,” one person commented.

“I can’t believe the NZ state broadcaster did this on live TV,” said another.

Donald Trump moments after the campaign rally shooting. Picture: AFP

Tenacious D sparked a huge controversy on stage in Sydney on Sunday. Picture: Facebook

Trump survived an attempt on his life from a gunman at a Pennsylvania rally over the weekend, but the spray of bullets from a would-be assassin killed a spectator and seriously wounded two others. The gunman was also killed.

Hours later, comedy rock duo Tenacious D courted controversy on-stage at the band’s Sydney concert when band member Kyle Gass announced his birthday wish: “Don’t miss Trump next time,” he said, a reference to the bullet that skimmed Trump’s right ear.

While it was met with cheers and laughter from the 9000 strong crowd, a comment like that was always going to cause some backlash. Still, few could’ve predicted the fallout: By last night, Gass’ musical partner of 30 years Jack Black had publicly turned on his bandmate, announcing the remainder of Tenacious D’s Australian tour was cancelled and any future endeavours by the group would be put on hold.

Gass released a statement of his own overnight, writing that the line he “improvised onstage Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake.”