In The Know

Jack Black: Tenacious D will ‘be back’ after Kyle Gass’s joke about Trump shooting

Kyle Gass and Jack Black of Tenacious D perform at PNC Music Pavilion on Sept. 6, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C.

Actor and musician Jack Black said his comedy rock duo, Tenacious D, will ‘be back” after canceling the remaining shows on tour last month after his partner made an off-color joke poking fun at the assassination attempt on former President Trump’s life.

“We need to take a break. Everybody needs a break sometime,” Black in an interview with Variety Tuesday night. “And we’ll be back.”

Black said he and his partner, Kyle Gass, have talked since Black announced the tour’s cancellation last month.

“Yeah, we’re friends. That hasn’t changed. These things take time sometimes,” he told Variety. “And we’ll be back when it feels right.”

Black, who was a supporter of President Biden’s reelection bid before he dropped out, announced he would cancel the tour last month after facing intense backlash over a joke Gass made on stage the day after Trump was wounded in an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania.


Black presented Gass with a birthday cake on stage and told him to “make a wish.”

In response, according to video footage, Gass said, “Don’t miss Trump next time.”

Two days later, Black announced he would cancel the rest of the shows.

“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,” Black posted to Instagram on the Tuesday after the Sunday show.

“After much reflection, I no longer feel it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold,” Black continued. “I am grateful to the fans for their support and understanding.”