Australian federal senator Ralph Babet has called for Tenacious D‘s deportation from Australia following the duo’s recent remarks onstage about the assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump.
While performing in Sydney on Sunday (July 14), Jack Black sung ‘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.
At the Tenacious D show, the comment elicited laughs from the audience, but drew criticism once posted on social media, with many condemning the duo for wishing violence on another human being.
NEW: Comedian Jack Black’s bandmate makes a “birthday wish” during a performance in Sydney, says he wishes they “don’t miss Trump next time.”
Black was videoed giving Tenacious D band member Kyle Gass a birthday cake.
“Make a wish,” Black said.
Gass then responded: “Don’t… pic.twitter.com/jSyqrKISOl
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) July 15, 2024
Today (July 16), Australian federal senator Ralph Babet has issued a letter calling for the duo to be deported from Australia immediately. He wrote in his letter: “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.”
There is no place in Australia for those who wish for the assassination of others. pic.twitter.com/wuvgQxeeDS
— Senator Babet (@senatorbabet) July 16, 2024
“Anything less than deportation is an endorsement of the shooting and attempted assassination of Donald J. Trump, the 45th and soon-to-be 47th President of the United States.” He also urged Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to denounce Tenacious D and revoke their visas and deport them immediately.
Senator Babet ended his letter: “Australia wrongly locked up Novak Djokovic and deported him because he allegedly undermined public trust in vaccination. Allowing Tenacious D to remain in Australia after calling for the death of a President is unthinkable, and it affirms the weakness of our current Prime Minister.”
Following the Trump assassination attempt, many figures in the entertainment world have shared their reactions, including 50 Cent, M.I.A., Kid Rock, and Freddie Gibbs, while fans of Lana Del Rey have also been sharing memes online.
Trump released a statement after the shooting, saying he was “fine” and thanked Secret Service agents and law enforcement officers for their “rapid response”.
“Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the rally who was killed and also to the family of [those] badly injured,” he added. “It is incredible that such an act can take place in our country.”