An Australian senator has ignited a firestorm of controversy by demanding the deportation of comedy rock band Tenacious D following a remark made during a Sydney concert. The band, led by Jack Black and Kyle Gass, found themselves at the center of a heated debate after Gass, during a birthday celebration on stage, wished for the assassination of former President Donald Trump. The comment, made in reference to the recent botched assassination attempt on Trump, elicited laughter from the audience but quickly drew widespread condemnation online.
Senator Ralph Babet, in a strongly worded letter, called for Tenacious D’s immediate removal from Australia, labeling the comment an “egregious, disgusting, filthy, evil, and not acceptable” call for political violence. Babet went on to claim that allowing the band to remain in Australia would be an endorsement of the attempted assassination and urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to revoke their visas and deport them immediately.
This incident has sparked a debate about the boundaries of humor and free speech, with some defending the band’s comment as a poorly timed joke and others condemning it as a dangerous call for violence.
The controversy comes at a time when public discourse surrounding the assassination attempt on Trump has been highly charged.
Meanwhile, singer Lana Del Rey has been caught in the crosshairs of misinformation surrounding the incident. Online rumors claiming Del Rey had made a comment about the attempt, citing a satirical account, have been widely circulated. Del Rey, known for her outspoken views on Trump, has not publicly commented on the assassination attempt. The misinformation surrounding Del Rey highlights the dangers of unverified information spreading online, particularly in the wake of a high-profile event.
Tenacious D, despite the controversy, have four dates remaining on their Australian tour, including shows in Newcastle, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Adelaide. The band is also scheduled to perform a series of October concerts in support of Rock the Vote, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering young voters.
