Kyle Gass, Jack Black's Tenacious D bandmate, says 'don't miss Trump next time' after assassination attempt
Kyle Gass, who performs alongside Jack Black in the rock duo Tenacious D, is facing backlash for joking about the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
In a video from a recent Tenacious D show that circulated on social media, Black was seen singing happy birthday to Gass on stage. After Black told his bandmate to make a wish, Gass said, "Don't miss Trump next time," referencing the fact that 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks shot at the 45th president during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
The comment drew applause from the crowd as Black said, "Thank you."
USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Gass and Black.
UPDATE: Jack Black 'blindsided' by Kyle Gass' Trump shooting comment, ends Tenacious D tour
In a Truth Social post on Saturday, Trump said he was "shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear" during his rally, and he "felt the bullet ripping through the skin." The FBI is investigating.
The assassination attempt drew widespread shock as officials from both parties condemned political violence. During an Oval Office address on Sunday night, President Joe Biden stressed the "need for us to lower the temperature in our politics."
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"There's no place in America for this kind of violence, for any violence, ever," Biden said. "Period. No exceptions. We can't allow this violence to be normalized."
Gass received backlash on social media for his remark about the assassination attempt, and after the clip was shared by the X account Libs of TikTok, Tesla CEO Elon Musk replied, "Evil."
Black and Gass are scheduled to perform a series of shows in the fall ahead of the presidential election, with proceeds benefiting the nonpartisan organization Rock the Vote.
During a June fundraiser for Biden, Black delivered a passionate speech in support of the president's re-election campaign while wearing American flag overalls.
Biden says America 'must not go down this road' after Trump assassination attempt
"When the president wins in November, I'm pretty sure I'm gonna get a sweet shout-out in his victory speech for what I gave up to be here," he joked. "Because when democracy is at stake, Jack Black answers the call."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kyle Gass, Jack Black's bandmate, slammed for Trump shooting comment