Jack Black and Kyle Gass of Tenacious D have confirmed that the band will reunite after going on hiatus earlier in 2024, following a backlash tied to an onstage joke referencing the recent assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump. This reunion comes after tension built throughout the fallout from the incident during their Australian tour.
The controversy began during a Sydney performance in July 2024 when Black invited the audience to make birthday wishes, prompting Gass to quip, “Don’t miss Trump next time,” referencing the shooting attempt that occurred earlier that week in Pennsylvania. The comment sparked widespread media attention and political outrage, including demands from Australian Senator Ralph Babet that the band face deportation.
The Fallout and Touring Halt After the Onstage Remark
In the wake of the backlash, Tenacious D canceled their remaining Australian tour dates and announced that their future creative projects were suspended indefinitely. The heavy criticism and public response placed significant strain on both band members while thrusting their personal lives into the spotlight.
Gass described the process of resolving the situation with Black as challenging, comparing it to a marital relationship with its difficulties.
“We hashed it out. And it was hard. It is like a marriage. You go through these ups and downs, and try to understand your partner,”
Gass said. He reassured fans, stating,
“We will serve no D-wine, before it’s D-time – but we will be back. We will return.”
Kyle Gass Reflects on Misjudged Comment and Public Response
Gass labeled his comment as poor judgment and expressed remorse for the consequences.
“I’ve felt terrible ever since, because it’s such a responsibility to not screw up like that,”
he admitted. He explained that the remark was meant to be a private joke shared in a momentary lapse, saying,
“I was naïve, of course – people are gonna pick that up. But I just felt it was kind of a private moment. I thought I was safe in the bubble. And it was so fast.”
He acknowledged the timing was inappropriate, emphasizing,
“If there was ever a ‘too soon,’ it was this. And maybe I thought I was on it, or ahead of the curve. But no, it was definitely too soon.”
The backlash overwhelmed Gass, describing it as
“a tsunami of shit rolling over you,”
which extended to his family members, including his 95-year-old mother.
Sharing the distress caused by the harassment, Gass said,
“Somebody called my mom. My poor 95-year-old mom. It hits close to home, and you want to be brave and courageous, but I’m not a congressman. We’re just entertainers. And it just bespeaks the insanity of the times. It feels almost vindictive.”
Differences in Responses and Apologies Amid Controversy
During the peak of the controversy, Jack Black issued a statement on social media, clarifying his stance against hate speech and political violence:
“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.”
Following this, Gass released an apology, stating,
“The line I improvised onstage Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake. 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 judgment. I profoundly apologize to those I’ve let down and truly regret any pain I’ve caused.”
However, Gass later deleted this apology, sparking speculation that he might have wanted to retract it. Addressing this, he told Rolling Stone,
“If I would have recanted, I would have said that.”
He revealed that both he and Black were processing the situation separately, describing,
“we were in our own camps dealing with the fallout at the time.”
He also said about Black’s apology:
“I might have deserved it. Or, he had to protect himself from his loose-cannon partner over here. I totally understood once safety concerns got in.”
Jack Black Confirms Break Was Necessary but Reunion Is Imminent
Black reassured fans that the break was temporary, explaining in August 2024,
“We had to take a break … Everybody takes a break sometimes.”
This statement signals that Tenacious D is set to resume their partnership and music projects after navigating the turbulent period caused by the controversial incident. Fans can anticipate the band’s return following their reconciliation.
