Jack Black confirmed Tenacious D has not broken up in the wake of group member Kyle Gass’ controversial comment last month about the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, telling Variety last night (Aug. 6) that “we need to take a break. Everybody needs a break sometime, and we’ll be back.”
During the show in Sydney, which fell on Gass’ birthday, Black asked him to make a wish as he was presented with a cake. Gass replied, “don’t miss Trump next time,” as seen in widely shared footage. In a subsequent social media statement, Black said he was unsure the group would continue working together, and Tenacious D later scrapped upcoming tour plans.
“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 said. “I am grateful to the fans for their support and understanding.”
Speaking with Variety at the premiere of his new film, Borderlands, Black said of longtime musical partner Gass, “we’re friends. That hasn’t changed. These things take time sometime, and we’ll be back when it feels right.”
At the event, Black was wearing a guitar pick from Tenacious D’s 2006 film Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny, prompting him to reflect, “I love Tenacious D. It’s probably my favorite job, if you can call it that. It’s a work of art. It’s my baby.”