logo
George Clooney ‘Forced' Jack Black to Break Up Tenacious D After Trump Assassination Comment, Journalist Claims

George Clooney ‘Forced' Jack Black to Break Up Tenacious D After Trump Assassination Comment, Journalist Claims

Yahoo21-07-2025
In a long interview with former President Joe Biden's son Hunter, reporter Andrew Callaghan alleges that George Clooney ordered Jack Black to break up Tenacious D after the duo's guitarist Kyle Gass asked that Thomas Matthew Crooks, who allegedly attempted to assassinate Donald Trump in 2024, 'aim a little higher next time.'
Reps for Clooney and Jack Black did not immediately respond to Variety's requests for comment.
More from Variety
Shaunagh Connaire, Former Communications Director for George and Amal Clooney's Justice Foundation, Sets Directorial Debut 'Brown Bread' (EXCLUSIVE)
CNN's Live 'Good Night, and Good Luck' Telecast Spurs Special Coverage
CNN to Exclusively Air George Clooney's Record-Breaking Broadway Hit 'Good Night, and Good Luck' Live for Free
Two and a half hours into the video, following a claim that George Clooney's wife Amal was responsible for a full-page advertisement requesting an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Callaghan says, 'My only really famous Hollywood friend is actor Jack Black, we used to be neighbors in [Los Angeles], and Tenancious D did a concert in Sydney Australia, and, this is the day after they tried to assassinate Trump, and I guess Jack Black's guitarist or whatever jumps up on stage, and he yells something into the effect of 'Hey, next time you try to shoot Trump, aim a little bit closer.'' (That is not a verbatim recounting of the quote.)
He continues, 'George Clooney is blowing his phone up, being like, 'If you don't kick your bandmember out of the band and, like, publicly denounce this guy — like I don't know what the consequences were, but it was kind of like, 'You're out!' Out of what, we don't know. And so his hand was basically forced to be like, 'Oh, sorry, my bandmember has serious mental-health problems. We're breaking up the band for now. The tour is canceled.'' (That also is not an entirely accurate recounting of events.)
'And so,' he continues, ' mean, it is cool to see Hollywood actors voice more progressive opinions, but…'
'Fuck him!' Biden shouts. 'Fuck him and everybody around him!' He then launches into a long tirade about Clooney.
'I don't have to be fucking nice! Number one. I agree with Quentin Tarantino. Fucking George Clooney is not a fucking actor. He is a fucking, like, I don't know what he is. He's a brand.'
Biden then abruptly changes tack to say nice things about Clooney.
'And by the way and God bless him, you know what? He supposedly treats his friends really well, he buys them things and he's got a really great place in Lake Como and he's great friends with Barack Obama. Fuck you! What do you have to do with fucking anything? Why do I have to fucking listen to you?' He then continues his tirade about Clooney's alleged efforts to tear down former President Biden.
See the full video below.
On July 14, 2024, Tenacious D was performing at the ICC Sydney Theatre on, the day after the Trump rally shooting in Butler, Pa., where the current president was apparently grazed in the ear by a bullet allegedly fired by Crooks. At the show, Black presented a cake to Gass on stage to celebrate the latter's 64th birthday. When Black asked Gass to make a wish, Gass responded: 'Don't miss Trump next time.'
'I was blindsided by what was said at the show on Sunday,' Black said in a statement at the time. 'I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form.'
He continued, 'After much reflection, I no longer feel it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold. I am grateful to the fans for their support and understanding.'
Best of Variety
New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts?
Final Emmy Predictions: Talk Series and Scripted Variety - New Blood Looks to Tackle Late Night Staples
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

UK will recognise Palestine in September unless Israel ‘takes steps' over Gaza
UK will recognise Palestine in September unless Israel ‘takes steps' over Gaza

Yahoo

time5 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

UK will recognise Palestine in September unless Israel ‘takes steps' over Gaza

The UK will recognise the state of Palestine 'in September' unless Israel takes 'substantive steps' to end the 'appalling situation in Gaza', Sir Keir Starmer has said. The Prime Minister recalled his senior team of ministers from their summer recess to discuss the situation in Gaza, where the population is facing a mounting famine, according to warnings from the United Nations. A readout of the Cabinet meeting issued by Downing Street said Sir Keir told ministers 'now was the right time to move this position' on the two-state solution. The read out continued: 'He said that because of the increasingly intolerable situation in Gaza and the diminishing prospect of a peace process towards a two-state solution, now was the right time to move this position forward. 'He said that the UK will recognise the state of Palestine in September, before UNGA (UN General Assembly), unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, reaches a ceasefire, makes clear there will be no annexation in the West Bank, and commits to a long-term peace process that delivers a two-state solution.' It comes after the Prime Minister had been under increasing pressure to recognise Palestine amid the warnings of starvation in Gaza. Speaking from Downing Street's state dining room, the Prime Minister then told reporters that the Government will 'make an assessment in September on how far the parties have met these steps'. No should 'should have a veto over our decision', Sir Keir insisted. The UK will keep working with its allies to 'end the suffering, get aid flooding into Gaza and deliver a more stable future for the Middle East', Sir Keir said, adding: 'Because I know that is what the British people desperately want to see.' In a hardening of his language about the crisis in Gaza, the Prime Minister has claimed the British public is 'revolted' by scenes of starvation in the territory. The UK and its allies need to see 'at least 500 trucks entering Gaza every day' to deliver aid, the Prime Minister added.

Inflation, Gaza, Epstein: Fires await Trump back in US
Inflation, Gaza, Epstein: Fires await Trump back in US

The Hill

time7 minutes ago

  • The Hill

Inflation, Gaza, Epstein: Fires await Trump back in US

It's Tuesday. August is so close I can feel it — both figuratively and literally with this brutal heat. 🥵 In today's issue: Trump puts bow on Scotland trip Challenges facing president in DC Mayor says NYC gunman targeted NFL America's first coast-to-coast rail deal I hope Trump packed his fire extinguisher: President Trump opened a new golf course in Scotland this morning and is now returning to the U.S. to 'put out fires all over the world,' as he put it. What are those fires, you may ask? 🔥 First, there's the economy: The next four days may determine the strength of the U.S. economy. Trump's ongoing trade war has magnified these metrics — and any weaknesses in the economy will put the president on defense. Wednesday — the Fed: The Federal Reserve will determine Wednesday whether to lower interest rates. It's expected to keep the rates steady, much to Trump's chagrin. Thursday — price data: Economists are bracing for Thursday's inflation data from the Commerce Department. They're expecting price increases from Trump's tariffs. Friday — trade deadline: Trump's 'reciprocal' tariffs on dozens of countries are set to take effect Friday. White House trade talks are intensifying in the meantime. Friday — the jobs report: July's jobs report will be published Friday at 8:30 a.m. EDT. Economists are expected to see a rise in unemployment and a slowing pace of job creation. Read more on why these four economic metrics matter so much. 🔥 Next, there's the hunger crisis in Gaza: On Monday, Trump acknowledged the dire starvation happening in Gaza, signaling a break with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump told reporters he did 'not particularly' agree with Netanyahu's claim that there is no starvation happening in Gaza. Trump has not gone as far as some European leaders in recognizing a Palestinian state. But his support for Netanyahu appears to be slowly eroding. Just in: The U.K. just announced it would plan to recognize Palestinian statehood by September if Israel doesn't take 'substantive steps' to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, The New York Times reports. 🔥 Next, the Epstein situation is snowballing: Jeffrey Epstein 's accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, appealed her conviction to the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, Senate Judiciary Committee ranking member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) is demanding the Justice Department turn over everything from its interviews with Maxwell. Trump has fiercely pushed back on reports that he had a closer relationship with Epstein than previously known, but he can't escape it. But the drip, drip, drip of reporting is making it harder for Trump to dismiss. 🔥 Then, there's Trump's deportation effort: The Justice Department (DOJ) filed a formal complaint Monday, alleging misconduct by U.S. District Judge James Boasberg over Trump's high-profile deportations. Remember how Boasberg challenged the legality of Trump's deportation flights to a notorious megaprison in El Salvador in March? Well, the DOJ is demanding he be removed from the case. Trump has been battling with Boasberg since March, but the letter was a major escalation. For more legal coverage, sign-up for The Gavel, The Hill's courts newsletter written by Ella Lee and Zach Schonfeld. Click here to sign up & get it in your inbox. 🔥 And finally, there's Russia: Trump shortened Russia's deadline to agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine to 'about 10 or 12 days' Monday. Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to scoff at this threat, as Russian strikes killed at least 22 people in Ukraine overnight. 🗨️ Follow today's live blog ➤ SO, HOW WAS THE SCOTLAND TRIP?: It was a mix of work and play. 🤝 On the work side: Trump came out of this trip with a trade deal with the European Union (EU)! 'There was still some vagueness around specifics, but the basic gist of the deal is that European imports to the U.S. will mostly be tariffed at 15 percent,' reports The Hill's Niall Stanage. ⛳ On the play side: Trump opened a new golf course in memory of his late mother. The golf course is in Aberdeen, which is on the east coast of Scotland. ➤ MORE READS: The New York Times: Trump Is Winning His Trade War. What Will That Mean for the Economy? The Atlantic: The Corrupt Bargain Behind Gaza's Catastrophe NBC News: 'Worst-case scenario of famine' unfolding in Gaza under Israel's offensive, global authority on hunger says The Washington Post: We texted nearly 1,100 Americans about Trump and the Epstein files. Here's what they said. The deadliest NYC mass shooting in 25 years: A gunman opened fire in a Midtown Manhattan skyscraper Monday, killing four people and injuring a fifth. The suspect has been identified as 27-year-old Shane Tamura. Tamura allegedly entered the building that housed Blackstone and the National Football League (NFL). He opened fire before dying by suicide. What do we know about his motive?: The New York Times noted the gunman had driven from Nevada. New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) said the gunman was trying to target the NFL headquarters but took the wrong elevator. Adams says a note was found with the gunman, which blamed the NFL for his brain injury. 'He was not an NFL player,' Adams said. 'It appears as though he was blaming the NFL for his CTE [Chronic traumatic encephalopathy]… and he shot himself and took his own life. Shot himself in the chest. It appears to have been that he wanted to preserve his brain for reason of research.' Among the victims: An off-duty NYPD officer was killed. Didarul Islam was a 36-year-old immigrant from Bangladesh who had served as a New York City police officer for more than three years. CNN pointed out this is the deadliest gun attack in New York City in 25 years. What a wild stat. It's also the highest-profile shooting in NYC since the UnitedHealthcare CEO was killed in December. ➤ SIGHTS AND SOUNDS IN NYC: 📸 Blackstone employees barricaded the door — this is both incredibly chilling and impressive. Who wants to tell Mr. George Russell?: Two railroad companies reached an $85 billion deal this morning, creating the U.S.'s first-ever coast-to-coast rail operator. Specifically: Union Pacific wants to buy Norfolk Southern. Why this matters to you: It could speed up deliveries across America. 'The railroads said the tie-up would streamline deliveries of raw materials and goods across the country by eliminating several days of delays when shipments are handed off between railroads.' (AP) But there's a big caveat: The deal still needs to be approved by antitrust regulators. The Associated Press (AP) noted there's a 'very high bar for railroad deals after previous consolidation in the industry led to massive backups and snarled traffic.' COMING UP The House is out. The Senate is in. President Trump is flying back to Washington from Scotland. (All times EST) 2 p.m.: State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce briefs reporters. 💻 Livestream 2:15 p.m.: Two Senate votes. More votes are expected today. 📆 Today's agenda 7:20 p.m.: Trump arrives at the White House. 🐝 INTERNET BUZZ 🥑 Free guac alert!: Chipotle is giving out free guacamole Thursday for National Avocado Day. The catch: You have to be a rewards member. The code is AVO2025. 🍽️ Alexa, convert this article into a checklist: The New York Times published its new list of ' The Best 25 Best Restaurants in Washington, D.C., Right Now.' It begins with '2Fifty Barbecue,' so I know this list is legit. 👋 AND FINALLY… ^ If you have, I beg you to send me that footage.

U.K. to recognize Palestine in September if Israel doesn't change course
U.K. to recognize Palestine in September if Israel doesn't change course

Axios

time7 minutes ago

  • Axios

U.K. to recognize Palestine in September if Israel doesn't change course

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the U.K. will recognize the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in late September unless Israel takes steps to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza and commits to a renewed peace process with the Palestinians. Why it matters: Starmer's statement follows shortly behind French President Emmanuel Macron's commitment to recognize Palestine at September's UN meetings. If both follow through, the U.S. will be the only permanent member of the UN Security Council that does not recognize a Palestinian state. Driving the news: Starmer's statement on Tuesday comes a day after his meeting with President Trump in Scotland, at which the two leaders discussed the situation in Gaza. Trump has not reaffirmed the longstanding U.S. policy of supporting a two-state solution since returning to office. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu adamantly rejects the idea of a Palestinian state and called France's move toward recognition a "reward for terrorism." But international support for Israel has been eroding, particularly in Europe, as the war in Gaza drags on. Around three-quarters of UN member states already recognize Palestine, but many of those that don't are in Europe. What they're saying: In a statement after a Cabinet meeting, Starmer said the U.K. demands "an immediate ceasefire to stop the slaughter" in Gaza and that the UN be allowed to provide humanitarian assistance to prevent starvation. "We are determined to protect the viability of the two-state solution, and so we will recognize the state of Palestine in September before UNGA," Starmer said in his statement released after a cabinet meeting. Yes, but: Starmer said the UK could delay its recognition of Palestine if the Israeli government "takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza and commits to a long term sustainable peace, agreeing to a ceasefire, and making clear there will be no annexations in the West Bank." What to watch: Starmer said the British government "will make an assessment ahead of the UN general assembly" and that "no one side will have a veto on recognition through their actions or inactions." Starmer said the U.K. will develop a peace plan for post-war Gaza that establishes transitional governance, security arrangements, withdrawal of Israel's military, the removal of Hamas leadership from Gaza and a resumption of peace talks based on a two-state solution. Starmer also said Hamas must immediately release all hostages, commit to a ceasefire and to disarmament, and agree to play no part in the government of Gaza. State of play: The negotiations over the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal that broke down last week are still deadlocked. A Hamas delegation that includes the group's chief negotiator, Khalil al-Haia, left Doha on Tuesday and traveled to Turkey. Netanyahu held consultations with the Israeli negotiators on Tuesday and said in a statement that the efforts to reach a deal are ongoing but stressed the "major obstacle is Hamas." "They remain obstinate in their refusal. President Trump said it, [U.S. envoy Steve] Witkoff said it, we're saying it — everyone who knows the facts, including the mediators, knows it. We are not giving up. We will continue doing everything we can, one way or another," he argued.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store