Kyle Gass of the rock band Tenacious D has faced intense backlash after making a controversial comment about former President Donald Trump during a show in Australia. The incident has led to the cancellation of the band’s tour and has sparked significant public outrage.

During a Sunday performance in Sydney, Gass was presented with a birthday cake and asked to make a wish. His response, “Don’t miss Trump next time,” referring to the failed assassination attempt on Trump, was met with immediate condemnation. The remark drew harsh criticism from Australian senator Ralph Babet, who called for the band to be deported. The fallout from the comment extended to the United States, where Gass’s bandmate, actor Jack Black, expressed his shock and disapproval.

Black announced the cancellation of the rest of the band’s tour, which included an October stop in State College, and shared his thoughts on social media. “I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form,” Black wrote on Instagram. “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 fans for their support and understanding.”

Gass also took to Instagram to issue an apology for his comment. “The line I improvised onstage Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous, and a terrible mistake,” Gass wrote. “I don’t condone violence of any kind, in any form, against anyone. What happened was a tragedy, and I’m incredibly sorry for my severe lack of judgment. I profoundly apologize to those I’ve let down and truly regret any pain I’ve caused.”

This incident has put the band’s future in jeopardy, with both members emphasizing their commitment to non-violence and their regret over the incident. The backlash highlights the broader societal issues around political discourse and the consequences of making such statements in public forums.

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