Tenacious D frontman Jack Black told USA TODAY he is canceling the band's tour, which included a stop in Bloomington at IU Auditorium this fall, after a controversial statement by bandmate Kyle Gass.
In a statement provided to USA TODAY, the "School of Rock" actor, 54, said he was "blindsided" by Gass saying "don't miss Trump next time" on stage during their Tenacious D show on Sunday.
The Bloomington show, scheduled for Oct. 22, was one of only five stops on the band's “Rock D Vote” tour.
"I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form," Black said. "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."
During a Tenacious D show Sunday in Sydney, Australia, Black presented a cake to Gass for his birthday and told him to make a wish. "Don't miss Trump next time," Gass said, referencing the assassination attempt on Trump.
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On Saturday, during a rally in Pennsylvania, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks shot at Trump, who later said a bullet "pierced the upper part of my right ear." The shooting left one rally attendee dead and two injured. In the aftermath, officials in both parties, including President Joe Biden, spoke out to condemn political violence.
Gass' comments received backlash as they went viral Monday on social media. "Evil," Tesla CEO Elon Musk wrote in response to a clip of the moment. Video showed the concert audience cheering Gass' joke, though Black did not remark upon it. "Thank you," he said before moving the show along.
Black has been performing with Gass in Tenacious D, a comedy rock band, since 1994. They co-starred in a comedy film about the band, "Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny," in 2006.
Black is a supporter of Biden and went viral in June after delivering a passionate speech for the president's re-election campaign at a fundraiser. Wearing American flag overalls, he said, "When democracy is at stake, Jack Black answers the call."
IU Auditorium's director of audience engagement has not responded yet to an email sent Tuesday morning seeking confirmation the nearly sold-out show has been canceled.
This story will be updated.
Brendan Morrow at USA Today contributed to this report. Reach Jill Bond at jbond@heraldt.com.
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