Kyle Gass Reflects on Tenacious D Turmoil Following Trump Remark
Tenacious D musician Kyle Gass has provided a candid account of the strain placed on his long-standing partnership with bandmate Jack Black, following the intense backlash over an onstage joke referencing former President Donald Trump. The controversy erupted during a July 2024 concert in Australia, shortly after Trump was injured in a campaign rally shooting in Pennsylvania.
The Infamous Onstage Moment and Immediate Fallout
During a birthday celebration at the show, Gass, then 65, made a quip that his wish was 'don’t miss Trump next time.' The remark, which drew laughter in the venue, quickly spiralled into a major public relations crisis. Jack Black responded decisively, cancelling the remainder of the band's tour dates and stating he felt 'blindsided' by his partner's comment. Black publicly emphasised his stance against political violence, leaving the future of Tenacious D in doubt.
Gass swiftly issued an apology, labelling the joke a 'highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake.' However, the damage was done. The backlash was severe and widespread, leading to the cancellation of not only tour dates but also planned Rock the Vote appearances in the United States.
Navigating the 'Tsunami' of Public Scrutiny
In a new interview with Rolling Stone, Gass described the overwhelming pressure he faced. 'It felt like a tsunami of shit rolling over you,' he revealed, noting that the criticism became intensely personal. 'Somebody called my mom. My poor 95-year-old mom. It hits close to home... We’re just entertainers. And it just bespeaks the insanity of the times.'
The reaction extended far beyond fan commentary. High-profile figures like Elon Musk condemned the remark as 'contemptible,' while commentator Charlie Kirk and an Australian politician added to the furor. Gass admitted he had naively underestimated the impact, thinking he was in a 'private moment' or a safe bubble. 'Five one-syllable words that brought down the empire,' he reflected ruefully.
Repairing the Partnership and Moving Forward
Despite the very public fracture, Gass confirms that he and Black have now reconciled. 'We hashed it out. And it was hard. It is like a marriage. You go through these ups and downs, and try to understand your partner,' Gass explained, drawing a parallel to a long-term relationship. He expressed understanding for Black's need to protect his own career and public standing, stating, 'I totally understood what he needed to protect. I didn’t begrudge him any of that.'
Taking full responsibility was a difficult but necessary step for Gass. 'It was hard to take responsibility for it, but it was my fuck-up,' he acknowledged. 'When you’re in it, it’s hard to even think straight... We had to take the break. And I got it.' He also praised Black's separate, 'magnificent career,' recognising their different professional paths.
A Lesson Learned and a Band's Return
Reflecting on the incident, Gass conceded it was a profound error in judgement. 'I’ve felt terrible ever since, because it’s such a responsibility to not screw up like that,' he said. 'If there was ever a “too soon,” it was this.' He confirmed that, despite initially dealing with the fallout separately, no lasting tension remains from Black's public statements.
The future, however, looks brighter for the comedic rock duo. Gass has signalled that Tenacious D will make a comeback, declaring, 'We will serve no D-wine, before it’s D-time – but we will be back. We will return.' Following a period away from the spotlight, which included a return to social media and performances with his side project, the Kyle Gass Band, it appears the partnership at the heart of Tenacious D has weathered the storm.
