Tenacious D Confirms Return Following Reconciliation Over Trump Joke Fallout
Kyle Gass, one half of the iconic comedy rock duo Tenacious D, has officially confirmed that the band will reunite with his partner Jack Black. This announcement comes after the pair went on an extended hiatus, a decision forced by the intense global backlash to a controversial onstage joke made during a 2024 performance in Sydney.
The Incident That Sparked Global Outrage
The controversy erupted in July 2024 while Tenacious D were performing in Australia. During the show, Jack Black encouraged Kyle Gass to make a birthday wish while blowing out candles. Gass's improvised response, "Don't miss Trump next time," was a direct reference to the assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania earlier that same week.
The remark instantly ignited a firestorm. Media outlets worldwide covered the incident, and Australian Senator Ralph Babet called for the band's deportation. The overwhelming pressure led Tenacious D to cancel their entire Australian tour and announce that all future creative plans were being put on indefinite hold.
"We Hashed It Out": The Path to Reconciliation
In a revealing new interview with Rolling Stone, Kyle Gass detailed the difficult process of reconciliation with Jack Black. "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. He emphatically confirmed their return, stating, "We will serve no D-wine, before it's D-time – but we will be back. We will return."
Gass reflected on the joke itself, calling it a result of "terrible judgment" and expressing deep regret. "I've felt terrible ever since, because it's such a responsibility to not screw up like that," he said. "I was naïve, of course – people are gonna pick that up. But I just felt it was kind of a private moment. I thought I was safe in the bubble. And it was so fast." He added, "If there was ever a 'too soon,' it was this."
Navigating the Aftermath and Public Fallout
The fallout from the joke was described by Gass as "overwhelming," likening it to "a tsunami of shit rolling over you." The personal toll was severe, with Gass revealing that his 95-year-old mother was targeted by critics. "Somebody called my mom. My poor 95-year-old mom. It hits close to home," he shared, noting the incident "bespeaks the insanity of the times."
In the immediate aftermath, it appeared Gass and Black were responding separately to the crisis. Jack Black posted a statement on social media, saying, "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."
Gass also issued a public apology, calling his line "highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake" and stating he did "not condone violence of any kind." He later deleted this apology, leading to speculation he had recanted. However, Gass clarified to Rolling Stone that this was not the case, saying, "If I would have recanted, I would have said that."
He addressed the dynamic with Black during the crisis, explaining they "were in our own camps" dealing with the fallout. Gass showed understanding for Black's separate statement, suggesting, "I might have deserved it. Or, he had to protect himself from his loose-cannon partner over here. I totally understood once safety concerns got in."
Looking Ahead to the Band's Future
Jack Black had previously hinted at a return, telling fans in August 2024, "We had to take a break … Everybody takes a break sometimes." Now, with Gass's confirmation, the future of Tenacious D seems secure. The episode highlights the intense scrutiny public figures face and the delicate process of repairing a professional partnership after a major controversy. Fans of the band can now anticipate new creative endeavours as the duo puts this challenging chapter behind them.
