Tenacious D’s Kyle Gass speaks out about his ‘dangerous’ Donald Trump shooting comment: ‘Highly inappropriate’
Kyle Gass of Tenacious D issued an apology after facing major backlash for what he said about the assassination attempt of Donald Trump.
At the rock band’s concert in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday, Jack Black brought a birthday cake out for Gass, 64, and told him to “make a wish” — to which Gass replied: “Don’t miss Trump next time.”
The comment, made the day after Trump, 78, was shot at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, garnered widespread backlash on social media.
Gass released a statement on Tuesday and apologized for his remark.
“The line I improvised onstage Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake,” the Grammy Award winner wrote on Instagram.
“I don’t condone violence of any kind, in any form, against anyone,” Gass continued. “What happened was a tragedy, and I’m incredibly sorry for my severe lack of judgement. I profoundly apologize to those I’ve let down and truly regret any pain I’ve caused.”
Black, 54, also released a statement where he revealed Tenacious D is postponing the rest of their “Spicy Meatball Tour” and “all future creative plans.”
“I was blindsided by what was said at the show on Sunday,” the “School of Rock” star told The Post. “I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form.”
He added: “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.”
Social media was in an uproar over Gass’ comment about Trump. Fans on X (formerly Twitter) called the musician’s comment “shameful,” “deplorable” and “indefensible” and said that Gass’ career “is probably done now.”
Senator Ralph Babet, a member of the right-wing United Australia Party, condemned Gass’ remark and called for both members of the band to be “deported immediately.”
“I condemn in the strongest possible way the call to political violence by Tenacious D in Sydney on Sunday,” the 41-year-old politician said in a statement. “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. This was not a joke, he was deadly serious when he wished for the death of the President.”
“Anything less than deportation is an endorsement of the shooting and attempted assassination of Donald J. Trump,” Babet added.
The gunman who attempted to assassinate Trump was identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. He crawled onto the roof of a manufacturing plant more than 130 yards away from the stage at the Butler Farm Show grounds. He was shot and killed by Secret Service snipers.
On Monday, Trump made his first public appearance since the attempt at the GOP convention in Milwaukee, where his right ear was seen wrapped in a bandage. He was joined by his official running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio).
The former president called the assassination attempt a “very surreal experience” in an exclusive interview with The Post.
“The doctor at the hospital said he never saw anything like this, he called it a miracle,” he said. “I’m not supposed to be here, I’m supposed to be dead.”
Trump said that as Secret Service agents led him offstage, he still wanted to continue speaking to supporters, but the agents told him it wasn’t safe.
“The agents hit me so hard that my shoes fell off, and my shoes are tight,” he added with a smile. “They took [Crooks] out with one shot right between the eyes,” he noted, calling the agents “linebackers.”
He added: “They did a fantastic job.”
