Acoustic rockers claim comment urging more accurate sniper shot at Trump was a ‘mistake,’ as Australian Senator says, ‘This was not a joke, he was deadly serious when he wished for the death of the President.’
Acoustic comedy rock duo Tenacious D announced they would cancel the rest of their tour after one of its members appeared to urge a second shooter to take a shot at former President Donald Trump.
The abrupt stop in their “Spicy Meatball Tour” came as band member Kyle Gass during a show in Sydney, Australia, Sunday made an obscene birthday wish on stage, telling a future assassin, “Don’t miss Trump next time.”
Tenacious D “Don’t miss miss Trump next time”
These people are sick and want you dead pic.twitter.com/3qaVioquGu
— 🌴 Josh Lekach 🌴 (@JoshLekach) July 15, 2024
Following the controversial statement, an Australian senator called on the band to be deported, arguing, “Anything less than deportation is an endorsement of the shooting and attempted assassination of Donald J. Trump, the 45th and soon-to-be-47th president of the United States.”
There is no place in Australia for those who wish for the assassination of others. pic.twitter.com/wuvgQxeeDS
— Senator Babet (@senatorbabet) July 16, 2024
“I condemn in the strongest possible way the call to political violence by Tenacious D in Sydney on Sunday,” United Australia Party Senator Ralph Babet said in a statement. “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. This was not a joke, he was deadly serious when he wished for the death of the President.”
“Tenacious D should be immediately removed from the country after wishing for the assassination of Donald Trump at their Sydney concert,” he added.
Tenacious D frontman and actor Jack Black – who appeared at a star-studded fundraiser for Democrat President Joe Biden last month – issued a statement condemning his bandmate’s comment and confirming the tour’s cancellation.
“I was blindsided by what was said at the show on Sunday,” Black said in his statement. “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.”
Gass also claimed his comments were a “mistake.”
“The line I improvised onstage Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake,” Gass said. “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 apologize to those I’ve let down and truly regret any pain I’ve caused.”
The fallout over the comment comes as the left grapples with how to “lower the temperature” of their violent rhetoric, as they suppress their joy and try not to appear too happy that their worst political enemy was nearly decapitated publicly.
