Jack Black cancels Tenacious D national tour amid calls for deportation over sick Donald Trump joke

Jack Black’s band Tenacious D have cancelled their Australian tour after a ‘filthy, evil’ comment was made about Donald Trump during a Sydney gig.

Tenacious D, the comedy-rock duo fronted by Hollywood A-list celebrity Jack Black with Kyle Gass, have cancelled their Australian tour after an Australian senator called for the band to be deported over “evil” comments made about the attempted assassination of Donald Trump.

United Australia Party Senator Ralph Babet said the duo should be “immediately removed from the country” after Black’s bandmate “wished for the death of the president” during a concert in Sydney on Sunday.

Kyle Gass made the comment at the ICC Theatre in Sydney on Sunday night, which was also his 64th birthday.

In footage shared on social media, Black presented Gass with a birthday cake on stage and asked him to “make a wish”.

“Don’t miss Trump next time,” Gass joked before the crowd burst in laughter.

“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.”

Tenacious D fans were left in limbo after Black postponed his Newcastle concert before announcing the rest of his tour was indefinitely cancelled.

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.

“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.”

Kevin Rudd also blasted the incendiary remarks about the attempt on Mr Trump’s life by Gass as “sick”. The US Ambassador, speaking on the side-lines of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, told reporters that Tenacious D members should “grow up and find a decent job”.

“That someone would joke about violence just makes me physically ill,” Mr Rudd said.

The footage attracted fierce criticism from the former president’s supporters, including X owner Elon Musk.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Frontier Touring said Tuesday night’s Tenacious D concert would not go ahead, although the promoter did not provide any reasons for the decision.

“Frontier Touring regret to advise that Tenacious D’s concert tonight at Newcastle Entertainment Centre has been postponed,” Frontier Touring said.

Kyle Gass (L) and Jack Black of Tenacious D perform at PNC Music Pavilion on September 06, 2023, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Picture: Getty Images

The joke did not sit well with Senator Babet, who condemned the comments.

“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,” Senator Babet said.

“This was not a joke, he was deadly serious when he wished for the death of the President.”

Senator Babet called on Immigration Minister Andrew Giles to immediately revoke the pair’s visas.

“Australia wrongly locked up Novak Djokovic and deported him because he allegedly undermined public trust in vaccination. Allowing Tenacious D to remain in Australia after calling for the death of a President is unthinkable, and affirms the weakness of our current Prime Minister.”

The band was set to play six shows across NSW, Queensland, Victoria, Adelaide, and New Zealand, which were all cancelled.