SOCIETY
Jack Black reacts to Donald Trump “don’t miss next time” controversy
The Tenacious D singer was involved in a birthday wish that took aim at the recent failed assassination attempt on the former president.
The worlds of rock and politics have overlapped in rather a dark way this week, and it could mean some cancelled gigs, or even the full tour, for the group involved. Comedy rock band Tenacious D, led by Jack Black and Kyle Gass, are in the centre of a potential political maelstrom in Australia. And all because what was intended to be a harmless birthday joke on stage, was seen as anything but funny. While some reports suggested it was the comedian known for Jumanji, The Holiday, School of Rock, Kung Fu Panda, and many more, who said it, it wasn’t.
Gass makes wish about Trump attack
On Sunday in Sydney, Tenacious D’s concert took a sharp turn when Black and a “robot” presented Kyle Gass with a birthday cake. As Black prompted Gass to “make a wish,” Gass quipped, “Don’t miss Trump next time,” which was met with roaring laughter and applause from the audience. This offhand remark, however, quickly escalated into a full-blown political controversy.
Senator Ralph Babet, the leader of the United Australia Party, didn’t find the joke funny at all. On Monday night, he took to social media to demand that Tenacious D be deported from Australia, claiming the comment wasn’t just in bad taste but a direct endorsement of violence. Babet called on Australia’s immigration minister, Andrew Giles, to “revoke their visas” and emphasized that anything less would be seen as condoning the assassination attempt on Donald J. Trump.
The senator’s call for deportation is quite the pivot for someone who has previously championed free speech. Babet, no stranger to controversy himself, was at the heart of a political storm earlier this year for re-sharing graphic footage of a stabbing incident, defying Australian court orders. His stance then was clear: “Without free speech our nation will fall.”
Tenacious D’s tour “on hold”
The immediate fallout from Gass’s comment was the abrupt postponement of Tenacious D’s sold-out gig in Newcastle, scheduled for July 16. Concert promoter Frontier Touring announced the postponement on social media, advising ticket holders to retain their tickets until further notice but providing no specific reason for the change. Speculations are rife, and it’s hard to dismiss the possibility that Babet’s demand played a role.
Black took to social media to explain his feelings on the matter and the situation with the tour.
“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.”
Jack Black, no stranger to political commentary, has previously criticised Trump and recently participated in a fundraiser for Joe Biden. Given this background, it’s likely the band’s comments were meant more as satire than serious political discourse. But some free speech advocates tend to mean the kind they agree with.