Tenacious D have postponed tonight’s (July 16) show in Australia after senator Ralph Babet called for their deportation following their remarks about Donald Trump.
While performing in Sydney on Sunday (July 14), Jack Black sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to his bandmate Kyle Gass, before asking him to make a wish. Gass shared his wish with the audience, remarking: “Don’t miss Trump next time.”
The remark was in reference to the failed assassination attempt on Trump at a rally over the weekend, during which a shooter fired at the former President, but only grazed Trump’s ear and claimed the life of one rally attendant.
Today, senator Babet issued a letter calling for the duo to be deported from Australia immediately. Since then the band have cancelled tonight’s show in Newcastle.
A statement from concert promoter social media said: “Frontier Touring regret to advise that Tenacious D’s concert tonight at Newcastle Entertainment Centre has been postponed. Ticket holders are asked to hold onto their tickets until further information is available.”
In his letter senator Babet wrote that “Tenacious D should be immediately removed from the country after wishing for the assassination of Donald Trump at their Sydney concert.”
He continued: “I condemn in the strongest possible way the call to political violence by Tenacious D in Sydney on Sunday. To advocate and or wish for the assassination of a President is egregious, disgusting, filthy, evil, and not acceptable in any way, shape or form. This was not a joke, he was deadly serious when he wished for the death of the President.”
Following the Trump assassination attempt, many figures in the entertainment world shared their reactions, including 50 Cent, M.I.A., Kid Rock, and Freddie Gibbs, while fans of Lana Del Rey also shared memes online.