US rock duo cancels tour after Trump assassination joke (VIDEO)

American actor and musician Jack Black claims he was “blindsided” by a controversial remark by his bandmate Kyle Gass on stage in Australia, after public backlash forced him to put the group’s “creative plans” on hold indefinitely.

The comedy rock duo Tenacious D, composed of Black and Gass, was giving a concert in Sydney on Sunday when Gass was presented with a cake for his 64th birthday and Black asked him to “make a wish.”

“Don’t miss Trump next time,” Gass replied, eliciting several bursts of laughter and applause from the audience. Black said “thank you” but later claimed he was “blindsided” by the comment.

The video of the incident went viral, sparking an avalanche of angry reactions. X (formerly Twitter) owner Elon Musk called it “evil,” and United Australia Senator Ralph Babet demanded the band be deported immediately.

On Tuesday, Black announced that he felt it was no longer “appropriate” to continue the tour and has put the group’s other “creative plans” on hold.

“I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form,” the comedian said, adding that he was “grateful to the fans for their support and understanding.”

Gass, who has already been dropped by his talent agency, apologized for his “improvised” line, calling it “highly inappropriate, dangerous, and a terrible mistake.”

READ MORE: Trump makes first public appearance since assassination attempt (VIDEO)

“I don’t condone violence of any kind, in any form, against anyone,” he stated in an Instagram post. “What happened was a tragedy, and I’m incredibly sorry for my severe lack of judgment.”

Former US President and newly nominated Republican candidate Donald Trump narrowly escaped death at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday, when an assassin’s bullet injured his ear. One spectator was killed and two more were wounded before the attacker was fatally shot by Secret Service agents. Many Republicans argued that the violence was incited by his critics’ reckless remarks.