Did actor Jack Black vow to leave the United States permanently? No, that's not true: That story appeared on a website with a satire disclaimer. There is no evidence Black ever said such a thing.
The claim appeared in an article (archived here) on the Esspots website on July 19, 2024, under the title "Breaking: Jack Black Vows To Leave The US Permanently, 'I Just Can't Take It Anymore.' It began:
In a stunning turn of events, beloved actor and musician Jack Black has announced his departure from the United States, citing a lack of respect as the primary reason for his decision. The star, known for his infectious energy and comedic prowess, made the announcement during a heartfelt press conference that left fans both shocked and contemplative.
'I just can't take it anymore, man,' Black lamented, his trademark grin momentarily replaced by a solemn expression. 'I've given my all to entertain the good folks of this country, and what do I get in return? Snubbed at award shows, overlooked for serious roles - it's like I'm not even appreciated here.'
This is how the post looked on Esspots at the time of writing:
(Source: Esspots screenshot taken on Wed Sep 18 14:19:29 2024 UTC)
The Esspots article about Black's purported wish to expatriate is labeled "SATIRE." The word appears three times among the topic tags below the headline, as can be seen in the screenshot above.
Esspots' "About Us" page (archived here) calls its stories "fake news":
Welcome to the US page of Esspots (A Subsidiary of SpaceXMania.com specializing in Satire and Parody News), your one-stop destination for satirical news and commentary about the United States of America. Our team of writers and editors is dedicated to bringing you the latest and greatest in fake news and absurdity, all with a healthy dose of humor and satire.
Some social media users have been reposting Esspots' claim about Black without noting its satirical intent (archived here).
Esspots published its article a few days after Black became mired in controversy over a joke his bandmate made on July 14, 2024, about the first assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump (archived here).
There is no evidence Black ever said anything about wanting to leave the U.S. permanently. A keyword search conducted by Lead Stories on September 18, 2024, turned up nothing to support the claim (archived here). A second search for key phrases from the quote in Esspots (archived here) produced nothing but reposts of the Esspots satire.
Lead Stories also contacted Kovert Creative, a talent management agency that lists Black among its clients, and will update this story if they reply.
Another Lead Stories fact check about the fallout from Black's bandmate joke can be found here.
