Jack Black’s Tour Ends, Conservatives Argue About Cancel Culture
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Key Takeaways
- Some reactions from Democrats lamenting the assassination attempt against Trump failing has sparked discussions about acceptable discourse and cancel culture.
- After a Tenacious D band member said on stage, “Don’t miss next time,” Jack Black canceled the tour and apologized. Many other presumed Democrats have now also been fired for expressing similar sentiments.
- Many on the right accuse Democrats of hypocrisy, saying they call for unity or taking the rhetorical temperature down, even as they express regret over the shooter missing.
Our Methodology
Demographics
All Voters
Sample Size
15,000
Geographical Breakdown
National
Time Period
1 Day
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The recent assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump has generated a tsunami of conversation online. In the immediate aftermath, social media platforms lit up with comments from various factions across the political spectrum, showcasing a mixture of disbelief, conspiracy theories, and outright hostility.
Some anti-Trump individuals went so far as expressing regret that the shooter missed Trump, causing significant backlash. Objections show a mixture of anger, condemnation, and a call for accountability. Many express outrage at such statements, labeling them morally bankrupt and indicative of deeper issues within American political discourse.
Liberal Reactions to Trump Being Shot
The left responded to the attempted assassination with a mixture of denial and downplaying of the severity of the incident. Some maintain it was an isolated event not indicative of a broader trend of political violence among their ranks.
However, there are also clear divisions within the left. Some moderate voices condemn the assassination attempt unequivocally while radicals either dismiss the event as fabricated or suggest it was deserved. Many, like Tenacious D band member Kyle Gass, made comments like, “Don’t miss next time,” or expressed similar disappointment.
Conspiracy theories quickly spread on the left, with some suggesting the assassination was a staged stunt designed to garner sympathy for Trump. These theories range from accusing Trump’s own team of orchestrating the attempt, to claims of a false flag operation to paint the opposition in a negative light.
Conservatives Object
Republican circles and Trump loyalists have taken the assassination attempt as further proof of what they describe as an unhinged and violent leftist agenda. They point fingers at the mainstream media, liberal politicians, and social media rhetoric for increasing the chances of violence. Many also speculate about how badly the Secret Service mishandled the situation, with critiques focusing on security lapses, lack of preparedness, and potentially cynical negligence.
Liberal reactions and the disappointment over Trump’s survival have caused many on the right to claim hypocrisy among those calling for “unity” and “lowering the temperature.” After Biden’s statements and the media’s relentless insistence on Republicans toning down rhetoric, many conservatives are enraged. Some are calling for anyone making heinous comments about the assassination online to face consequences.
Many perceive leftist sentiments as not only inflammatory but contributing to a dangerous climate of political violence. People condemn both individuals and the media for perpetuating or tolerating aggressive anti-Trump rhetoric.
Jack Black and Tenacious D
The incident involving Jack Black and Tenacious D showed a video of Kyle Glass making outrageous statements against Trump on stage at a show. This generated severe anger from conservatives—many of whom called for accountability for the celebrities.
BREAKING: Jack Black and Tenacious D are halting all future shows after bandmate Kyle Gass said on stage he wishes Trump was shot and k*lled.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) July 16, 2024
In a new statement, Black says he was blindsided by the statement and was postponing shows.
“I was blindsided by what was said at the… pic.twitter.com/T1B5iDA3WT
Soon after the controversy, Jack Black released an apology and announced the band’s tour would be canceled. Some attributed this turn of events to an Australian senator calling for Tenacious D to be deported from Australia.
Australian Senator Ralph Babet calls for the immediate deportation of Tenacious D after Kyle Gass called on other would-be assassins not to miss their shots on Trump. pic.twitter.com/uNkD6ZJ5tB
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) July 16, 2024
Some Black fans criticized perceived censorship, arguing for artistic freedom and the right to controversial expression. Most on the right celebrated the acknowledgement and apology from Black. They also expressed satisfaction when reports emerged that Kyle Gass was dropped from his talent agency.
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Cancel Culture Discussions on the Right
Jack Black and Tenacious D are a high-profile example of leftists facing consequences for their divisive rhetoric. But many on the right are also calling for average Americans to suffer punishments for their comments about the assassination attempt.
The prominent X account LibsOfTikTok has been calling out and documenting firings of many who shared Kyle Gass’s sentiments online. These “cancelations” have sparked controversy on the right about where the line should be for accountability versus cancel culture.
A particular case of a Home Depot worker losing her job has generated sharp disagreement. The woman was let go for making comments about the shooter online, allegedly saying he, “should have been a better shot.”
BREAKING: Home Depot confirmed this person is no longer an employee. https://t.co/LMfoMU5ava pic.twitter.com/DoH9JR2lsL
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) July 16, 2024
Some on the right say fervent backlash against average Americans like the Home Depot worker are taking cancel culture too far. This group often says they approve of consequences for those with large platforms and influence like Tenacious D, but getting minimum wage workers fired is “punching down.”
Others on the right argue that, to stop leftist censorship tactics, they must receive a taste of their own medicine. This group argues conservatives being canceled for their religion, COVID vaccine or lockdown objections, and denial of gender ideology now have an obligation to turn the tables.
Among those advocating for taking a harder stance, cancel culture is sometimes reframed as a form of "accountability culture." They differentiate between canceling someone for their beliefs and addressing statements that endorse or incite violence. Under this framework, calling for the firing or shaming of individuals who make particularly egregious or dangerous comments is seen not as cancel culture, but as holding them accountable for harmful behavior.
On a more strategic level, some conservatives argue utilizing cancel culture could be an effective short-term tactic in a broader cultural war. By demonstrating they are willing to fight fire with fire, conservatives aim to force progressives to reconsider their use of cancel culture. This, they believe, might lead to a mutual disarmament, where both sides agree to cease leveraging social and professional exclusion as political weapons.
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