Tenacious D Member Kyle Gass Deletes Instagram Apology Following Jack Black Dispute Over Trump Assassination Comment
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Tenacious D musician Kyle Gass has deleted an Instagram post in which he apologized for his controversial joke about the attempted assassination of Donald Trump.
Gass, who was one half of the comedy rock band alongside actor Jack Black, had referenced the shooting of former President Trump in Pennsylvania last weekend. The incident apparently caused a rift between the two band members, with Black publicly condemning Gass’ joke.
“Make a wish,” Black can be heard telling Gass in a video of the concert in Sydney, Australia, shared on TikTok. As Gass blew out the candles, he joked, “Don’t miss Trump next time.”
In a statement released Tuesday (July 16), Black said he was “taken aback by what was said on Sunday’s show,” adding that he would “never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form.”
“After careful consideration, I no longer feel it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative projects are on hold,” Black continued. “I am grateful to the fans for their support and understanding.”
Gass first apologized on Instagram, writing, “I do not condone violence of any kind against anyone. What happened was a tragedy, and I am extremely sorry for my serious lapse in judgment. I deeply apologize to those I have let down and sincerely regret any pain I have caused.”
However, the 64-year-old singer and actor has now deleted the apology from his social media page.
Trump was speaking at a political rally when he was targeted by a man later identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20.
Crooks, who was shot at the scene after punching Trump in the ear in a failed attempt to kill him, was a registered Republican. While Trump escaped with only minor injuries, one person was killed and two others were injured in addition to the former president.
Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was one of those to criticise Gass for his comment, telling news.com.au: “It makes me sick that someone would joke about violence. Physically sick. People might think it’s a bit funny haha at a concert to get carried away about that kind of stuff.”
“That is not the case,” he continued. “This is about threats to physical life; this is about the imminent assassination of a former and future president of the United States, based on the votes of the American people. This is about the killing of innocent civilians and two people who were seriously injured.”
