Actor-musician Jack Black has cancelled his band’s remaining Australian tour after claiming he was “blindsided” by his bandmate’s quip about the failed assassination of Donald Trump.

Black on Tuesday night posted that he believed it was not appropriate for Tenacious D to continue its tour of Australia and New Zealand.

The future of the American mock rock group is also in the air as the Super Mario actor said he was putting “all creative future plans on hold”.

The Grammy-winning duo has copped huge backlash since one half of the band, Kyle Gass, suggested he wished that Trump’s shooter had not missed.

Black and Gass were performing in Sydney on the weekend when Black asked his bandmate to make a birthday wish before blowing out the candles on a cake.

After a brief pause, Gass responded: “Don’t miss Trump next time.”

“I was blindsided by what was said at the show on Sunday,” said Black’s statement posted to Instagram on Tuesday night.

“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.”

 

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Australia’s ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd added his voice to the growing outrage over Gass’s remark, which was captured on video at Tenacious D’s show in Sydney over the weekend.

Former prime minister Rudd said the joke made him feel “physically ill” and the band should “grow up and get a decent job”.

“It makes me feel sick someone would joke about violence. Physically ill,” he told news.com.au on the sidelines of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

“People might think it’s a bit of ‘funny haha’ at a concert to run off at the mouth off about this stuff. It’s not.

“It’s about threats to physical life; it’s about the near assassination of a former and prospective president of the United States, depending on the votes of the American people.

“It’s about the murder of innocent civilians and two people being seriously wounded.

“These people need to grow up and find a decent job”.

The reference at the concert to the attempted assassination of the US presidential candidate initially triggered audience laughter and clapping, caught in a video posted to TikTok.

However, as it circulated online, social media users quickly condemned the comment and vowed to boycott the band.

Tenacious D duo Kyle Glass and Jack Black were performing in Sydney. Photo: Getty

United Australia Party Senator Ralph Babet – a keen supporter of Trump on social media – called for the duo to be deported from Australia. He said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese should “denounce” Tenacious D.

“To advocate and or wish for the assassination of an American president is egregious, disgusting, filthy, evil and not acceptable in any way, shape or form,” Babet said.

“This was not a joke. He was deadly serious when he wished for the death of the (former) president.”

Black is a supporter of Democrat President Joe Biden and last month shared a social media post in which he foreshadowed Biden winning office again in November.

The actor has appeared in numerous Hollywood movies, including School of Rock, King Kong and Jumanji and more recently The Super Mario Bros. Movie. He voiced the role of Po in the Kung Fu Panda franchise.

Black is the lead vocalist of Tenacious D, which he formed in 1994 with long-time friend Gass.

The backlash had already led to the last-minute cancellation of Tenacious D’s show in Newcastle on Tuesday.

Ticketek said refunds would be issued for the cancelled shows in Newcastle, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide.

Tenacious D brought their tour to Australia after sold-out performances across Europe, the UK and the US in 2023.

Gass has also apologised for his “improvised” comment, saying it was “highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake”.

“I don’t condone violence of any kind, in any form, against anyone,” he wrote on Instagram.

“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.”