Kyle Gass deletes post apologizing for comments at Tenacious D concert

Jack Black is giving an update about the future of Tenacious D following a concert that led to the cancellation of their tour.

Speaking to Variety's Marc Malkin at a movie premiere on Aug. 6, Black said the band would return.

“We need to take a break. Everybody needs a break sometime. And we’ll be back," the outlet reported Black saying.

Black said he is still friends with bandmate Kyle Gass following the incident. “Yeah, we’re friends. That hasn’t changed. These things take time sometimes… And we’ll be back when it feels right," Black said.

Black said he was initially “blindsided” after a concert in Australia in July, when Gass — who co-founded the comedy rock duo Tenacious D with Black in 1994 — made a comment related to the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.

His words were met with swift backlash on social media. An Australian senator issued a statement calling for Black, 54, and Gass, 64, to be deported “immediately,” condemning what he referred to as the band’s “call to political violence.”

Soon after, Gass released a statement on Instagram apologizing for his remark, and Black shared on Instagram that the Tenacious would be canceling the remainder of their tour, which was set to wrap up in Pennsylvania in October.

Gass has since been dropped by his talent agency, TODAY.com can confirm.

Read on to learn more about the moment that caused controversy at Tenacious D’s recent Australian show.

What exactly happened at Tenacious D’s recent concert?

During a July 14 performance at the ICC Sydney Theatre in Sydney, Australia, Jack Black presented Kyle Gass with a cake on stage to mark his 64th birthday.

When Black asked Gass to make a wish before blowing out the candles, Gass said, “Don’t miss Trump next time,” as seen in a video of the moment making the rounds on X.

After Gass made his quip about Trump, some people in the audience could be heard laughing and applauding.

Gass was apparently referring to the July 13 assassination attempt on the former president Donald Trump. The former president was injured after a gunman opened fire during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump has said a bullet pierced his right ear before he was rushed off stage by Secret Service agents.

A spectator, Corey Comperatore, was killed in the shooting, and two others were injured. The shooter also died.

The assassination attempt was condemned by political leaders on both sides of the aisle. President Biden called the incident "sick" and said it was "one of the reasons we have to unite this country."

What were the reactions to Gass’ comment?

Gass’ comment was criticized by many on social media.

One X user called his words an “incitement to violence,” and another said his joke had been made in “poor taste.”

“Tenacious D is done. Calling for the President to get shot again? Shame on you. You are done,” another person commented on one of Tenacious D’s recent Instagram posts. “I wholeheartedly supported Tenacious D for over 20 years. I am done. You are done. If you come to St. louis I will protest your event.”

Others on social media argued that while they may not have agreed with Gass’ comment, he had the right to make it.

“Although I find it offensive and untimely, he has every right to say and speak his truth the way he wishes,” one person wrote on X.

“I don’t know; he’s kind of a comedian/musician, and comedians in general typically use moments like this to interject some dark humor,” another X user wrote.

Some commenters shared their continued support of Tenacious D.

"Kyle’s comment only solidified that I am a tenacious d fan, rock on dudes, and keep free speech alive !" one person commented on one of the band's recent Instagram posts.

On July 16, an Australian senator, Ralph Babet, issued a release on X calling for the two members of Tenacious D to be “deported immediately.”

“I condemn in the strongest possible way the call to political violence by Tenacious D in Sydney on Sunday,” Babet said in the release.

“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,” he continued. “This was not a joke, he was deadly serious when he wished for the death of the president.”

Tesla CEO Elon Musk also weighed in on Gass' remarks, writing the world "Evil" beneath an X post that shared footage of the moment at the Sydney concert.

What have Jack Black and Kyle Gass said about the moment?

After the incident, Gass issued an apology statement in a now-deleted Instagram post.

“The line I improvised onstage Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake,” he wrote.

“I don’t condone violence of any kind, in any form, against anyone,” his statement continued. “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.”

Gass has returned to Instagram with posts unrelated to the incident.

Black also issued an Instagram statement about the incident.

“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,” he wrote.

“After much reflection, I no longer feel it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold,” the "School of Rock" star continued. “I am grateful to the fans for their support and understanding.”

Tenacious D had several sold-out shows planned across Australia and New Zealand in July as part of their Spicy Meatball Tour, according to their official website’s tour page, which has since been taken down.

The band was also set to embark on a Rock D Vote tour in the U.S. in October, with all proceeds going to Rock the Vote, a nonpartisan organization working to increase young people's involvement in the democratic process.

The rock duo had shows planned in Bloomington, Indiana, Columbus, Ohio, Kalamazoo, Michigan, Madison, Wisconsin, and State College, Pennsylvania.

Black and Gass have not yet shared details on how and when tickets might be refunded for their canceled shows.

Frontier Touring, the concert promoter that had been handling Tenacious D’s tour dates in Australia and New Zealand, shared in a July 16 Facebook post that the band’s planned show that evening in Newcastle, Australia, had been “postponed.”

The promoter advised ticket holders to “hold onto their tickets until further information is available.”

Black confirmed in August the band would return.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com