Jack Black Backtracks After Trump Joke Flak, Brings Tenacious D Back

Jack Black is reversing course and has announced that his rock duo Tenacious D is getting back together after a huge post-Trump backlash.

Several weeks ago, extreme controversy hit the Jack Black camp after a Tenacious D concert in Sydney, Australia. In the near-immediate aftermath of the apparent attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, Tenacious D co-founder/guitarist/vocalist Kyle Gass was presented with a birthday cake onstage and asked to make a wish. Gass responded, “Don’t miss Trump next time.”

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The backlash was harsh and swift. United Australia Party leader and Senator Ralph Babet called for Jack Black and Gass’ visas to be revoked, and the duo deported during their Spicy Meatball Tour, saying, “Anything less than a deportation is an endorsement of the shooting and the attempted assassination of Donald J. Trump.” It is worth mentioning that Babet is otherwise a staunch supporter of unlimited free speech and has a history of posting graphic violence via social media.

Jack Black and Kyle Gass do not appear to have been deported from Australia, but both men took to Instagram to make statements during the uproar. Gass apologized for the comment in a now-deleted post, saying:

“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 judgement [sic]. I profoundly apologize to those I’ve let down and truly regret any pain I’ve caused.”

Jack Black’s (also deleted) statement went even further and led fans to believe that Tenacious D had officially broken up. He said:

“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. 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.”

Fans of both actors and the band were outraged, with many feeling that Jack Black had essentially thrown his longtime partner under the bus for his onstage comment. However, Black, who is currently promoting his new movie Borderlands, has revealed that Tenacious D is not, in fact, permanently dissolved and that he and Gass will work together again.

Speaking to Variety at the Borderlands premiere, Black said, “We need to take a break. Everybody needs a break sometime, and we’ll be back… we’re friends. That hasn’t changed. These things take time sometimes… And we’ll be back when it feels right.”

While The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) actor did not give any specifics, this is a fast turnaround from “all future creative plans are on hold.” Perhaps to sweeten the tone, he also revealed that he was wearing a prop from Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny (2006), the feature film starring the duo. He said, “Look what I wore today: I wore the Pick of Destiny. I love Tenacious D. It’s probably my favorite job, if you can call it that. It’s a work of art, it’s my baby.”

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For his part, Kyle Gass posted a video of him and Jack Black on Twitter as recently as August 7, indicating there may be fewer hard feelings between the two men than fans of the band and its singer.

Breaking: Jrue Holiday has accepted the tenacious D award pic.twitter.com/Fv5eTkU0s5

— Justin Turpin (@JustinmTurpin) July 7, 2024

Jack Black is currently starring in Borderlands alongside Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Édgar Ramírez, Ariana Greenblatt, Florian Munteanu, Gina Gershon, and Jamie Lee Curtis. Donald Trump is currently campaigning for the United States Presidency, primarily opposed by Vice President Kamal Harris.

Are you glad Tenacious D will reunite?