Kyle Gass Details Severe Fallout from Trump Assassination Joke
Tenacious D co-founder Kyle Gass is opening up about the substantial professional and personal consequences he and his comedy rock band faced following a controversial improvised joke he made about the first assassination attempt against Donald Trump in July 2024. In a candid interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Gass described the incident as a monumental mistake with far-reaching implications for his career and the band's future.
The Ill-Timed Birthday Wish That Sparked Controversy
The incident occurred during a concert in Sydney, Australia, where fans and bandmate Jack Black were celebrating Gass's 64th birthday. This celebration happened shortly after a gunman had targeted then-Republican presidential candidate Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. When Black invited Gass to make a wish before blowing out his birthday candles onstage, Gass quipped: "Don't miss Trump next time."
Gass now acknowledges the profound error in timing, stating to Rolling Stone: "I'm human, I made a mistake. I was going for a joke. But timing is everything. If there was ever a 'too soon,' it was this." The remark triggered immediate conservative backlash and prompted Gass to issue a since-deleted apology post on social media.
Immediate Consequences and Band Response
The fallout was swift and severe. Jack Black, who expressed being "blindsided" by his bandmate's comments, announced that Tenacious D would cancel its tour and pause all future creative projects. Black emphasized in his statement that he "would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form," distancing himself from the controversial remark.
Gass described the aftermath as overwhelming, telling the magazine: "There was no way out. Just panic... It became a worldwide story, which seems so ridiculous now in comparison with all the shit that's been [happening]." He admitted he cannot bring himself to watch a recording of his comments and detailed the professional repercussions, including his longtime talent agent dropping him as a client.
Personal Reflection and Regret
The comedian used vivid imagery to describe his experience, stating: "It's like a tsunami of shit rolling over you." He expressed deep regret about the incident, questioning his own judgment: "And then there's the regret. Like, 'Why would I do that?' I just didn't put it together." Gass acknowledged that he had "touched the stove" and began to comprehend the impact of his words while partying in his hotel room after the show.
Moving Forward and Band Reconciliation
Despite the significant fallout, Gass revealed that he has reconciled with Jack Black and doesn't resent his bandmate's public statement at the time. The two have "hashed things out" privately since the incident. Although Tenacious D has released some music and a concert DVD following the controversy, Gass vowed that the band would eventually make a dramatic comeback, promising an "Oasis-level return" in the future.
The interview provides a comprehensive look at how a single offhand remark during a birthday celebration evolved into an international controversy with lasting professional consequences, offering insight into the complex intersection of comedy, timing, and political sensitivity in today's cultural landscape.
