Kyle Rittenhouse#The Media Accountability Project
{{Short description|American known for the Kenosha unrest shooting (born 2003)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Kyle Rittenhouse
| image = Kyle Rittenhouse by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| caption = Rittenhouse in 2021
| birth_name = Kyle Howard Rittenhouse
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2003|1|3}}
| birth_place = Antioch, Illinois, U.S.
| known_for = Kenosha unrest shooting
}}
Kyle Howard Rittenhouse (born January 3, 2003) is an American man who gained national attention at age 17 for shooting three men in Kenosha, Wisconsin, two fatally, in August 2020, amid protests following the police shooting of Jacob Blake. He had traveled to Kenosha during the unrest and joined a group of armed people who said they were there to protect businesses. In a series of confrontations, Rittenhouse fatally shot two men who had tried to grab his gun, and non-fatally injured another who had pointed a handgun at him. Rittenhouse was charged by Kenosha County prosecutors with multiple criminal counts, including homicide. Rittenhouse pleaded self-defense at trial and was acquitted in November 2021. Two civil lawsuits against him were pending as of February 2023.
Rittenhouse's prosecution attracted widespread media coverage. Following his acquittal, he attended several events hosted by conservative organizations and individuals, including a meeting with president Donald Trump, interviews with political commentator Tucker Carlson, and guest appearances at several Turning Point USA productions. Images of Rittenhouse have been used for political purposes by both right-wing and left-wing actors, becoming an internet meme and appearing on commercial products. Several proposed laws were named after him, he was offered several internships by Republican politicians, and he appeared in a video game.
Since his trial, Rittenhouse has operated a gun rights YouTube channel and started two projects, including another video game and raising money for unspecified defamation lawsuits against media companies.
Early life and education
Kyle Howard Rittenhouse was born on January 3, 2003, in Antioch, Illinois, to Michael and Wendy Rittenhouse.{{cite news |last1=Abraham |first1=Ellie |title=People have just discovered Kyle Rittenhouse and Greta Thunberg were born on exactly the same day |url=https://www.indy100.com/news/kyle-rittenhouse-greta-thunberg-birthday-b1978264 |access-date=June 23, 2022 |newspaper=The Independent |date=December 17, 2021 |archive-date=March 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329200318/https://www.indy100.com/news/kyle-rittenhouse-greta-thunberg-birthday-b1978264 |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |last1=Williams |first1=Paige |date=June 28, 2021 |title=Kyle Rittenhouse, American Vigilante |magazine=The New Yorker |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/07/05/kyle-rittenhouse-american-vigilante |url-status=live |access-date=June 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928072212/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/07/05/kyle-rittenhouse-american-vigilante |archive-date=September 28, 2021}} His parents were married in Lake County, Illinois, in February 2000, three years before his birth. He has two siblings, an older sister and a younger sister. His parents separated by 2014, when Michael was sued for child support.{{cite news |first=Dan |last=Mihalopoulos |date=August 27, 2020 |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/live-updates-protests-for-racial-justice/2020/08/27/906566596/alleged-kenosha-shooter-fervently-supported-blue-lives-joined-local-militia |title=Kenosha Shooting Suspect Fervently Supported 'Blue Lives', Joined Local Militia |access-date=May 4, 2025}}
As a high school freshman, Rittenhouse participated in the Explorers program at the Grayslake Police Department, as well as a cadet program at the Antioch Fire Department, with the goal of becoming a paramedic or working in law enforcement. Eventually transitioning to online school, he dropped out and left Lakes Community High School altogether in 2018 after attending for one semester in 2017–2018.{{cite news |last1=Armus |first1=Teo |date=August 27, 2020 |title=Who is Kyle Rittenhouse? Here's what we know about the 17-year-old charged in the Kenosha protest shooting. |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.boston.com/news/national-news-2/2020/08/27/who-is-kyle-rittenhouse/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520211414/https://www.boston.com/news/national-news-2/2020/08/27/who-is-kyle-rittenhouse/ |archive-date=May 20, 2022}}
Rittenhouse expressed interest in law enforcement through publicly viewable social media posts. In December 2018, He started a fundraiser through Facebook for Humanizing the Badge, a nonprofit. Rittenhouse also expressed support for Blue Lives Matter and the Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign on various social media platforms, including TikTok and Facebook.{{cite news |last1=Hall |first1=Ellie |last2=Jamieson |first2=Amber |last3=Nashrulla |first3=Tasneem |last4=Goba |first4=Kadia |date=August 26, 2020 |title=The Kenosha Shooting Suspect Was In The Front Row Of A Trump Rally In January |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ellievhall/kenosha-suspect-kyle-rittenhouse-trump-rally |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125055423/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ellievhall/kenosha-suspect-kyle-rittenhouse-trump-rally |archive-date=January 25, 2021 |access-date=June 24, 2022 |website=BuzzFeed News}}
On January 30, 2020, Rittenhouse attended a Trump rally in Des Moines, Iowa, seated in the front row. Rittenhouse attempted to join the US Marine Corps that same month, but he was disqualified from serving by recruiters.{{cite news |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/kyle-rittenhouse-charged-with-killing-two-in-kenosha-was-fixated-on-supporting-police/ |title=Kyle Rittenhouse, charged with killing 2 in Kenosha, was fixated on supporting police |date=August 27, 2020 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |first=Teo |last=Armus |access-date=April 5, 2024 |quote=Rittenhouse attempted to join the Marine Corps in January, but was disqualified from serving after discussing his options with recruiters}} He got a part-time job as a lifeguard at the YMCA in Lindenhurst, but was furloughed in March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic began, leading to a shutdown of many public facilities.{{cite news |last1=St. Clair |first1=Stacy |last2=Gutowski |first2=Christy |last3=McCoppin |first3=Robert |last4=Leventis Lourgos |first4=Angie |date=August 26, 2020 |title=What we know so far about Kyle Rittenhouse, the 17-year-old accused of murder after fatal Kenosha protest shootings |work=Chicago Tribune |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-kenosha-shooting-kyle-rittenhouse-20200826-xdww3peuj5ddbimcj4vikx63y4-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=June 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827052204/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-kenosha-shooting-kyle-rittenhouse-20200826-xdww3peuj5ddbimcj4vikx63y4-story.html |archive-date=August 27, 2020}}{{cite news |date=November 19, 2021 |title=Kyle Rittenhouse: Who is US teen cleared of protest killings? |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53934109 |url-status=live |access-date=June 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219084114/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53934109 |archive-date=December 19, 2021 }}
Kenosha unrest shooting
{{Main article|Kenosha unrest shooting}}
In late August 2020, 17-year-old Rittenhouse traveled from Antioch, Illinois, to Kenosha, Wisconsin, to help protect local businesses, after there were protests following the shooting of Jacob Blake by a police officer. On August 25, 2020, Rittenhouse was armed with an AR-15 style rifle and shot three men during the civil unrest in Kenosha.{{Cite news |last=Bosman |first=Julie |date=November 14, 2021 |title=What to Know About the Trial of Kyle Rittenhouse |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/article/kyle-rittenhouse-trial.html |url-status=live |access-date=November 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114120358/https://www.nytimes.com/article/kyle-rittenhouse-trial.html |archive-date=November 14, 2021 |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web|last=Levenson|first=Eric|title=Friend who bought gun for Kyle Rittenhouse says the teen was 'freaking out,' pale and sweaty after Kenosha shootings|date=November 2, 2021 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/02/us/kyle-rittenhouse-trial-kenosha/index.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 24, 2021|publisher=CNN|archive-date=November 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122144235/https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/02/us/kyle-rittenhouse-trial-kenosha/index.html}} Photographic evidence reveals that prior to unrest unfolding, Rittenhouse and others had participated in cleaning graffiti from a high school close to the Kenosha County Courthouse.{{cite news|title=How Kyle Rittenhouse Went from Cleaning Graffiti to Shooting 3 People|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/how-kyle-rittenhouse-went-cleaning-graffiti-shooting-3-people-2021-11-11/|work=Reuters|date=November 19, 2021|access-date=July 7, 2023}}{{cite news|title=Suspect in Kenosha Killings Lionized the Police|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/27/us/kyle-rittenhouse-kenosha.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 31, 2021|access-date=July 7, 2023}}
After a man named Joseph Rosenbaum chased and cornered Rittenhouse in a dealership parking lot and grabbed the barrel of his rifle, Rittenhouse fatally shot him.{{Cite web|last1=Levenson|first1=Eric|last2=Parks|first2=Brad|last3=Hassan|first3=Carma|title=Kyle Rittenhouse testifies he knew Joseph Rosenbaum was unarmed but acted in self-defense during fatal shooting|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/10/us/kyle-rittenhouse-trial-wednesday/index.html|url-status=live|access-date=December 1, 2021|website=CNN|date=November 10, 2021|archive-date=November 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110153445/https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/10/us/kyle-rittenhouse-trial-wednesday/index.html}}{{Cite news |last=Layne |first=Nathan |date=November 13, 2021 |title=U.S. judge in Rittenhouse trial says jury can consider teen provoked attack |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/judge-rittenhouse-trial-will-not-allow-jury-consider-lesser-charge-shooting-2021-11-12/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113082258/https://www.reuters.com/world/us/judge-rittenhouse-trial-will-not-allow-jury-consider-lesser-charge-shooting-2021-11-12/ |archive-date=November 13, 2021}}{{Cite web |last1=Bauer |first1=Scott |last2=Webber |first2=Tammy |last3=Forliti |first3=Amy |last4=Tarm |first4=Michael |date=November 9, 2021 |title=Pathologist: Rittenhouse shot first man at close range |url=https://apnews.com/article/kyle-rittenhouse-wisconsin-shootings-george-floyd-homicide-5c1dc71757928bd0850959bcf4ec5f1d |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110225112/https://apnews.com/article/kyle-rittenhouse-wisconsin-shootings-george-floyd-homicide-5c1dc71757928bd0850959bcf4ec5f1d |archive-date=November 10, 2021 |access-date=November 11, 2021 |website=AP News}} Rittenhouse fled and was pursued by a crowd. He fatally shot a second man, Anthony Huber, who struck Rittenhouse with a skateboard and tried to grab his rifle in a brief struggle.{{Cite web |date=August 28, 2020 |title=Victims of shooting during Kenosha protests engaged gunman |url=https://apnews.com/0994e25654d255e552aaad8a15e16c84 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829074151/https://apnews.com/0994e25654d255e552aaad8a15e16c84 |archive-date=August 29, 2020 |access-date=August 30, 2020 |website=Associated Press}}{{Cite news|last1=Romo|first1=Vanessa|last2=Pruitt-Young|first2=Sharon|date=November 20, 2021|title=What we know about the 3 men who were shot by Kyle Rittenhouse|language=en|work=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/11/20/1057571558/what-we-know-3-men-kyle-rittenhouse-victims-rosenbaum-huber-grosskreutz|access-date=December 14, 2021|archive-date=November 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125135415/https://www.npr.org/2021/11/20/1057571558/what-we-know-3-men-kyle-rittenhouse-victims-rosenbaum-huber-grosskreutz|url-status=live}} Afterwards, Gaige Grosskreutz approached Rittenhouse and pointed a pistol at him. Rittenhouse shot and wounded Grosskreutz in the right arm.{{Cite news |last1=Willis |first1=Haley |last2=Xiao |first2=Muyi |last3=Triebert |first3=Christiaan |last4=Koettl |first4=Christoph |last5=Cooper |first5=Stella |last6=Botti |first6=David |last7=Ismay |first7=John |last8=Tiefenthäler |first8=Ainara |date=August 28, 2020 |title=Tracking the Suspect in the Fatal Kenosha Shootings |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/27/us/kyle-rittenhouse-kenosha-shooting-video.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=August 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827051514/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/27/us/kyle-rittenhouse-kenosha-shooting-video.html |archive-date=August 27, 2020 |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web |last1=Tarm |first1=Michael |last2=Bauer |first2=Scott |last3=Forliti |first3=Amy |date=November 8, 2021 |title=Shooting victim says he was pointing his gun at Rittenhouse |url=https://apnews.com/article/kyle-rittenhouse-wisconsin-shootings-george-floyd-homicide-cbd8653c42406417c2d3d8559632e3bb |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115055145/https://apnews.com/article/kyle-rittenhouse-wisconsin-shootings-george-floyd-homicide-cbd8653c42406417c2d3d8559632e3bb |archive-date=November 15, 2021 |access-date=August 4, 2022 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}}
= Criminal trial =
At a criminal trial in Kenosha in November 2021, prosecutors argued that Rittenhouse was seen as an active shooter and had provoked the other participants. Defense lawyers argued that he had acted in self-defense,{{Cite web |last=Richmond |first=Todd |date=November 16, 2021 |title=9 takeaways from Kyle Rittenhouse trial closings |url=https://apnews.com/article/kenosha-wisconsin-fc43e68b77c27ece4c7af460b175705b |access-date=July 10, 2022 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=July 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710202703/https://apnews.com/article/kenosha-wisconsin-fc43e68b77c27ece4c7af460b175705b |url-status=live }} stating that he had used force necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself.{{efn|In Wisconsin, a defendant asserting perfect self-defense against a charge of first-degree murder must meet an objective threshold showing that the defendant reasonably believed that the defendant was preventing or terminating an unlawful interference with the defendant's person and that the force used was necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm.{{cite web|url=https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/939/iii/49|title=Wisconsin Statutes, Chapter 939: Crimes|publisher=Wisconsin State Legislature|at=939.48 Self-defense and others|access-date=July 26, 2022|archive-date=July 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711113833/https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/939/iii/49|url-status=live}}|group=lower-alpha}}
A jury weighed two counts of homicide, one count of attempted homicide, and two counts of reckless endangerment, and found Rittenhouse not guilty on all charges.{{Cite web |last1=St. Clair |first1=Stacy |last2=Gutowski |first2=Christy |last3=Keilman |first3=John |last4=Buckley |first4=Madeline |date=November 19, 2021 |title=A unanimous jury leaves the nation still divided |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-kyle-rittenhouse-jury-verdict-divided-20211120-qweepyvqyve7xcjyc7d2uiyici-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120142754/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-kyle-rittenhouse-jury-verdict-divided-20211120-qweepyvqyve7xcjyc7d2uiyici-story.html |archive-date=November 20, 2021 |access-date=November 20, 2021 |website=Chicago Tribune}}{{Cite news |last1=Yang |first1=Maya |last2=Walters |first2=Joanna |date=November 19, 2021 |title=Kyle Rittenhouse found not guilty after fatally shooting two in Kenosha unrest |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/nov/19/kyle-rittenhouse-verdict-kenosha-shooting?ref=todayheadlines.live |url-status=live |access-date=November 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123174844/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/nov/19/kyle-rittenhouse-verdict-kenosha-shooting?ref=todayheadlines.live |archive-date=November 23, 2021}}{{Cite web |date=November 19, 2021 |title=Kyle Rittenhouse found not guilty on all charges |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/19/kyle-rittenhouse-found-not-guilty-on-all-charges |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119212938/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/19/kyle-rittenhouse-found-not-guilty-on-all-charges |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |access-date=November 19, 2021 |website=Al Jazeera}}{{Cite news |last1=Tarm |first1=Michael |last2=Bauer |first2=Scott |last3=Forliti |first3=Amy |date=November 19, 2021 |title=Kyle Rittenhouse cleared of all charges in Kenosha shootings |work=The Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/article/kyle-rittenhouse-business-wisconsin-homicide-kenosha-27f812ba532d65c044617483c915e4de |url-status=live |access-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119185516/https://apnews.com/article/kyle-rittenhouse-business-wisconsin-homicide-kenosha-27f812ba532d65c044617483c915e4de |archive-date=November 19, 2021}}{{Cite web |last1=Sanchez |first1=Ray |last2=Levenson |first2=Eric |last3=Parks |first3=Brad |date=November 19, 2021 |title=Kyle Rittenhouse found not guilty on all charges in Kenosha shootings |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/19/us/kyle-rittenhouse-trial-friday/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120022239/https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/19/us/kyle-rittenhouse-trial-friday/index.html |archive-date=November 20, 2021 |access-date=November 19, 2021 |website=CNN}} Public sentiment and media coverage of the shootings was polarized and politicized. An Economist/YouGov poll found that two-thirds of Republicans thought Rittenhouse should be acquitted while three-quarters of Democrats thought he should be convicted.{{Cite web |last=McGraw |first=Meridith |title=The lionization of Kyle Rittenhouse by the right |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/11/19/the-lionization-of-kyle-rittenhouse-by-the-right-523054 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121060350/https://www.politico.com/news/2021/11/19/the-lionization-of-kyle-rittenhouse-by-the-right-523054 |archive-date=November 21, 2021 |access-date=November 21, 2021 |website=POLITICO |date=November 19, 2021 |language=en}}
= Civil litigation =
Rittenhouse was named as a defendant in two civil lawsuits following the incident.
In August 2021, the family of Anthony Huber filed a federal lawsuit in the Eastern District of Wisconsin against the police and county sheriff's departments in Kenosha. The family added Rittenhouse as a named defendant in January 2022.{{Cite news |last=Guarino |first=Mark |date=January 21, 2022 |title=Kyle Rittenhouse named in civil suit filed by parents of man killed in Kenosha |language=en-US |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/01/21/rittenhouse-huber-lawsuit/ |access-date=January 25, 2022 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=January 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121194355/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/01/21/rittenhouse-huber-lawsuit/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=January 22, 2022 |title=Kyle Rittenhouse faces new legal issues, named in civil suit by family of Anthony Huber |url=https://abc7chicago.com/kyle-rittenhouse-kenosha-shooting-anthony-huber-civil-lawsuit/11499255/ |access-date=January 25, 2022 |website=ABC7 Chicago |language=en |archive-date=January 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127202447/https://abc7chicago.com/kyle-rittenhouse-kenosha-shooting-anthony-huber-civil-lawsuit/11499255/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Hinkel |first=Dan |date=November 20, 2021 |title=Other legal fallout from the violence in Kenosha is still playing out in the courts. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/19/us/kenosha-lawsuit-victim.html |access-date=December 1, 2021 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127233925/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/19/us/kenosha-lawsuit-victim.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=August 17, 2021 |title=Parents of Anthony Huber, fatally shot by Kyle Rittenhouse, file lawsuit against Kenosha law enforcement |url=https://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/parents-of-protester-fatally-shot-by-kyle-rittenhouse-file-lawsuit-against-kenosha-law-enforcement |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022164732/https://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/parents-of-protester-fatally-shot-by-kyle-rittenhouse-file-lawsuit-against-kenosha-law-enforcement |archive-date=October 22, 2021 |access-date=August 18, 2021 |website=TMJ4}}
In February 2023, Gaige Grosskreutz added Rittenhouse as a named defendant to a lawsuit filed in federal court in October 2021.{{Cite web |last=Bauer |first=Scott |date=2023-02-23 |title=Attorneys for man shot during protest in Kenosha say Kyle Rittenhouse is evading them |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/attorneys-for-man-shot-during-protest-in-kenosha-say-kyle-rittenhouse-is-evading-them |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=PBS NewsHour |language=en |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=March 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326075844/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/attorneys-for-man-shot-during-protest-in-kenosha-say-kyle-rittenhouse-is-evading-them |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Jacobo |first=Victor |date=February 21, 2023 |title=Kyle Rittenhouse faces new lawsuit from man he shot in 2020 Kenosha violence |url=https://www.cbs58.com/news/kyle-rittenhouse-faces-new-lawsuit-from-man-he-shot-in-2020-kenosha-violence |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=CBS58 |language=en |archive-date=March 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325172004/https://www.cbs58.com/news/kyle-rittenhouse-faces-new-lawsuit-from-man-he-shot-in-2020-kenosha-violence |url-status=live }} In April 2023, Rittenhouse countersued Grosskreutz.{{Cite news |last=Mathewson |first=Kevin |date=2023-04-15 |title=Kyle Rittenhouse Counter-Sues Man Who Seemingly Tried To Kill Him |url=https://kenoshacountyeye.com/2023/04/14/kyle-rittenhouse-counter-sues-man-who-seemingly-tried-to-kill-him/ |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=Kenosha County Eye |language=en-US}}
Media appearances through July 2022
After the acquittal, Rittenhouse was sought for media appearances{{cite news |last1=Tarm |first1=Michael |last2=Forliti |first2=Amy |title=Acquitted and in demand, Rittenhouse ponders what's next |url=https://apnews.com/article/kyle-rittenhouse-donald-trump-entertainment-tucker-carlson-mar-a-lago-a852da724d4e06438da0cef6d02fc8f3 |access-date=July 6, 2022 |work=Associated Press |date=November 29, 2021 |archive-date=December 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202213904/https://apnews.com/article/kyle-rittenhouse-donald-trump-entertainment-tucker-carlson-mar-a-lago-a852da724d4e06438da0cef6d02fc8f3 |url-status=live }} and attended a number of Republican and conservative events described as a public relations campaign and publicity tour.{{Cite magazine |last=Ecarma |first=Caleb |date=November 22, 2021 |title=The Kyle Rittenhouse Public Relations Campaign Has Begun |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/11/kyle-rittenhouse-public-relations-campaign |access-date=July 10, 2022 |magazine=Vanity Fair |language=en-US |archive-date=November 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124205806/https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/11/kyle-rittenhouse-public-relations-campaign |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Bremmer |first1=John |title=Kyle Rittenhouse says 'I Wouldn't Accept A Penny' For Publicity Tour |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/kyle-rittenhouse-fox-news-public-appearances-b1981668.html |access-date=June 26, 2022 |newspaper=The Independent |date=December 23, 2021 |archive-date=December 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211224010136/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/kyle-rittenhouse-fox-news-public-appearances-b1981668.html |url-status=live }} During the tour, he was represented by publicist Jillian Anderson, a former contestant on season 19 of the reality TV show The Bachelor.{{cite news |last1=Truffaut-Wong |first1=Olivia |title=Kyle Rittenhouse Has a 'New Publicist' Now? |url=https://www.thecut.com/2021/11/why-is-kyle-rittenhouse-with-this-bachelor-alum.html |access-date=July 4, 2022 |website=The Cut |date=November 22, 2021 |archive-date=January 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122120121/https://www.thecut.com/2021/11/why-is-kyle-rittenhouse-with-this-bachelor-alum.html |url-status=live }} A picture of the two released on November 22, 2021, went viral on social media.
=Tucker Carlson projects=
A film crew for Tucker Carlson and Fox Nation followed Rittenhouse during the trial for a documentary feature, against the advice of Rittenhouse's attorneys.{{Cite news |last=Bella |first=Timothy |date=November 20, 2021 |title=Kyle Rittenhouse attorney says he 'did not approve' Tucker Carlson's film crew following them at trial |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/11/20/kyle-rittenhouse-tucker-carlson-documentary-richards/ |access-date=July 5, 2022 |archive-date=November 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123055502/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/11/20/kyle-rittenhouse-tucker-carlson-documentary-richards/ |url-status=live }}
Carlson of Fox News held an exclusive interview with Rittenhouse for Tucker Carlson Tonight immediately following his acquittal.{{cite news |last1=Tapp |first1=Tom |title=Fox News' Tucker Carlson Lands First TV Interview With Kyle Rittenhouse, Set For Monday |url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/fox-news-tucker-carlson-kyle-rittenhouse-interview-1234877937/ |access-date=June 24, 2022 |website=Deadline |date=November 19, 2021 |archive-date=December 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218053935/https://deadline.com/2021/11/fox-news-tucker-carlson-kyle-rittenhouse-interview-1234877937/ |url-status=live }} Two days later on November 22, 2021, the hour-long episode titled "The Kyle Rittenhouse Interview" released, where Carlson interviewed him about a wide range of subjects.{{cite news |last1=Luscombe |first1=Richard |title=Outcry as Kyle Rittenhouse sits down for Tucker Carlson Fox News interview |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/nov/22/kyle-rittenhouse-fox-news-tucker-carlson-interview |access-date=June 24, 2022 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=November 22, 2021 |archive-date=May 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513221020/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/nov/22/kyle-rittenhouse-fox-news-tucker-carlson-interview |url-status=live }} In the interview, Rittenhouse said he would eventually like to become a lawyer or nurse. He also said that he supported the Black Lives Matter movement and "peacefully demonstrating".{{Cite web |date=November 22, 2021 |title=Rittenhouse tells Fox News 'not a racist person,' backs BLM |url=https://apnews.com/article/kyle-rittenhouse-shootings-race-and-ethnicity-kenosha-wisconsin-64f379ffb884fba5b1420f88d0b8feb6 |access-date=August 14, 2022 |website=AP NEWS |language=en |archive-date=August 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814031324/https://apnews.com/article/kyle-rittenhouse-shootings-race-and-ethnicity-kenosha-wisconsin-64f379ffb884fba5b1420f88d0b8feb6 |url-status=live }} Carlson introduced Rittenhouse as "bright, decent, sincere, dutiful, and hardworking... exactly the kind of person you would want many more of in your country."{{cite news |last1=Darcy |first1=Oliver |title=Tucker Carlson exalts Kyle Rittenhouse during first post-verdict interview: He's a 'sweet kid' |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/23/media/tucker-carlson-kyle-rittenhouse/index.html |access-date=July 22, 2022 |publisher=CNN |date=November 23, 2021 |archive-date=July 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722173046/https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/23/media/tucker-carlson-kyle-rittenhouse/index.html |url-status=live }} The episode was the second-most watched since the show's premiere in 2016, following the episode on the January 6 United States Capitol attack earlier in 2021.{{cite news |last1=Maglio |first1=Tony |title=Kyle Rittenhouse Interview Was Tucker Carlson's Most-Watched Episode Since Jan 6 Insurrection |url=https://www.thewrap.com/kyle-rittenhouse-tucker-carlson-interview-fox-news-ratings/ |access-date=June 24, 2022 |website=TheWrap |date=November 23, 2021 |archive-date=December 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220124612/https://www.thewrap.com/kyle-rittenhouse-tucker-carlson-interview-fox-news-ratings/ |url-status=live }} It was watched by 4.942 million viewers (up from the show's average of 3.16 million viewers) and had more than four times the viewers of any other network, leading TheWrap to state that the interview "crushed the rest of cable news" on the night it aired.{{cite news |last1=Bauder |first1=David |title=Five million viewers see Carlson's Rittenhouse chat |url=https://apnews.com/article/kyle-rittenhouse-nfl-sports-entertainment-business-63294dca175d5c7381ad17bc7e11d43b |access-date=July 6, 2022 |work=Associated Press |date=November 23, 2021 |archive-date=March 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308164929/https://apnews.com/article/kyle-rittenhouse-nfl-sports-entertainment-business-63294dca175d5c7381ad17bc7e11d43b |url-status=live }} Lorraine Ali of the Los Angeles Times said the interview "canonized" Rittenhouse while categorizing it as an overly sympathetic "soft ball" interview.{{cite news |last1=Ali |first1=Lorraine |title=Tucker Carlson canonizes Kyle Rittenhouse the patron saint of right-wing violence |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2021-11-22/kyle-rittenhouse-tucker-carlson-tonight-fox-news |access-date=June 24, 2022 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=November 22, 2021 |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408213906/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2021-11-22/kyle-rittenhouse-tucker-carlson-tonight-fox-news |url-status=live }} Rittenhouse and Fox News both denied he was compensated in any way for the interview.{{cite news |last1=Mastrangelo |first1=Dominick |title=Kyle Rittenhouse: No money exchanged for Tucker Carlson interview, documentary series |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/media/582929-kyle-rittenhouse-no-money-exchanged-for-tucker-carlson-interview-documentary/ |access-date=June 24, 2022 |website=The Hill |date=November 23, 2021 |archive-date=December 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207053851/https://thehill.com/homenews/media/582929-kyle-rittenhouse-no-money-exchanged-for-tucker-carlson-interview-documentary |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Bauder |first=David |date=November 20, 2021 |title=Fox says it did not pay for Rittenhouse film and interview |url=https://apnews.com/article/kyle-rittenhouse-business-wisconsin-kenosha-acquittals-333ca50c646421ae8802c77eccef1818 |access-date=July 2, 2022 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=July 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702133738/https://apnews.com/article/kyle-rittenhouse-business-wisconsin-kenosha-acquittals-333ca50c646421ae8802c77eccef1818 |url-status=live }}
=Meeting with President Trump=
Former President Trump announced on Sean Hannity's show that Rittenhouse had requested a meeting, saying, "He called. He wanted to know if he could come over, say hello, because he was a fan."{{cite news |last1=Ellefson |first1=Lindsey |title=Kyle Rittenhouse Met With Trump at Mar-a-Lago Because of Course He Did |url=https://www.thewrap.com/rittenhouse-mar-a-lago-trump/ |access-date=June 24, 2022 |website=TheWrap |date=November 24, 2021 |archive-date=January 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121162023/https://www.thewrap.com/rittenhouse-mar-a-lago-trump/ |url-status=live }} Rittenhouse, his mother, and Trump met at Mar-a-Lago, the same day the Tucker Carlson Tonight interview aired on November 22, 2021. Trump called him "really a nice young man," and the two were photographed together.{{cite news |last1=Ward |first1=Myah |title=Trump says Kyle Rittenhouse visited him in Mar-a-Lago after trial |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/11/23/trump-kyle-rittenhouse-visit-trial-523283 |access-date=June 24, 2022 |website=Politico |date=November 23, 2021 |archive-date=May 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530192450/https://www.politico.com/news/2021/11/23/trump-kyle-rittenhouse-visit-trial-523283 |url-status=live }}
=Turning Point USA events=
File:Kyle Rittenhouse (52127451640).jpg event in June 2022]]
Rittenhouse has appeared at several events run by Turning Point USA, a conservative nonprofit organization,{{Cite news |last=Beumer |first=Pia |date=June 15, 2022 |title=Bernhard Goetz and the roots of Kyle Rittenhouse's celebrity on the right |language=en-US |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2022/06/15/bernhard-goetz-roots-kyle-rittenhouses-celebrity-right/ |access-date=July 5, 2022 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706185347/https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2022/06/15/bernhard-goetz-roots-kyle-rittenhouses-celebrity-right/ |url-status=live }} including a panel called "Kenosha on Camera" at Turning Point USA's conservative youth conference AmericaFest in December 2021. Held on the third day of the conference on December 20, the panel consisted of Rittenhouse, Charlie Kirk, Jack Posobiec, Elijah Schaffer, and Drew Hernandez.{{cite news |last1=Yang |first1=Maya |title=Conservative event gives Rittenhouse a standing ovation a month after acquittal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/dec/21/kyle-rittenhouse-turning-point-usa-standing-ovation |access-date=July 4, 2022 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=December 21, 2021 |archive-date=December 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211224130609/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/dec/21/kyle-rittenhouse-turning-point-usa-standing-ovation |url-status=live }} During the panel, Rittenhouse said, "I think my trial was an example of them trying to come after our Second Amendment rights, our right to defend ourselves and trying to take our weapons."{{cite news |last1=Barchenger |first1=Stacey |title=At conservative megaconference in Phoenix, Kyle Rittenhouse embraces role of conservative icon |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2021/12/20/kyle-rittenhouse-cheered-phoenix-during-americafest-appearance/8940651002/ |access-date=June 24, 2022 |newspaper=Arizona Republic |date=December 20, 2021 |archive-date=December 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227224027/https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2021/12/20/kyle-rittenhouse-cheered-phoenix-during-americafest-appearance/8940651002/ |url-status=live }} Kirk described him as a "hero to millions," and the crowd gave him a standing ovation after chanting his name. The organization arranging the event said Rittenhouse was not compensated for the 45-minute panel appearance.
Rittenhouse also appeared onstage at a Turning Point Young Women's Leadership Summit in 2022, introduced as "the kind of man you should want to be attracted to" who would "protect [his] family" and "stand strong in the face of opposition from culture and evil".{{Cite news |last=Teh |first=Cheryl |date=June 6, 2022 |title=Kyle Rittenhouse was introduced as the ultimate catch for women at a right-wing event for 'cuteservatives' |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/kyle-rittenhouse-introduced-as-ultimate-catch-for-female-conservatives-2022-6 |access-date=September 14, 2022 |work=Business Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=June 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609114411/https://www.businessinsider.com/kyle-rittenhouse-introduced-as-ultimate-catch-for-female-conservatives-2022-6 |url-status=live }}
=Podcasts=
Rittenhouse has been a guest on several podcasts, including the Blaze Media project You Are Here, hosted by Elijah Schaffer and Sydney Watson, where Rittenhouse said going to protests was "not the best idea."{{cite news |last1=Mark |first1=Julian |title=In new podcast interview, Kyle Rittenhouse says traveling to Kenosha was 'not the best idea' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/12/07/kyle-rittenhouse-the-blaze-podcast-interview/ |access-date=June 24, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=December 7, 2021 |archive-date=March 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314100558/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/12/07/kyle-rittenhouse-the-blaze-podcast-interview/ |url-status=live }} He also appeared on The Jenna Ellis Show, hosted by former Trump staffer Jenna Ellis.{{cite news |last1=Kilander |first1=Gustaf |title=Kyle Rittenhouse angry that Biden won't return his calls |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/kyle-rittenhouse-joe-biden-b2047570.html |access-date=July 6, 2022 |newspaper=The Independent |date=March 30, 2022 |archive-date=July 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707081213/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/kyle-rittenhouse-joe-biden-b2047570.html |url-status=live }} On that show, he expressed fear of harassment and said he was afraid to run errands. He denied being a racist, domestic terrorist, or white supremacist, saying he had been attacked by those who described him in these terms. Rittenhouse also said he had reached out to President Joe Biden several times but had not received a response, adding, "He still hasn't replied. So it just shows how much of a man he is to not sit down and talk."
Commercialization and use of his image
While campaigning for president in 2020, Biden used images of Rittenhouse in a campaign video he tweeted the day after the September 29 presidential debate.{{cite news |last1=Rogers |first1=Zachary |title=Rittenhouse wants to 'explain the facts' to Biden so he can 'understand them' |url=https://mynbc15.com/news/nation-world/rittenhouse-wants-to-explain-the-facts-to-biden-so-he-can-understand-them-kyle-joe-steven-crowder-tucker-carlson-kenosha-murder-case-president-white-supremacists-supremacy-wisconsin |access-date=July 6, 2022 |work=NBC 15 |date=December 9, 2021 |archive-date=July 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707081232/https://gum.criteo.com/syncframe?origin=publishertag&topUrl=mynbc15.com |url-status=live }} The BBC wrote the video "appeared to link Rittenhouse, without any evidence, to white supremacists."{{cite news |title=Kyle Rittenhouse: Biden angry after teen cleared of shootings |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-59356081 |access-date=July 6, 2022 |work=BBC |date=November 20, 2021 |archive-date=December 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218210628/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-59356081 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=MacGuill |first=Dan |date=November 24, 2021 |title=Did Joe Biden Call Kyle Rittenhouse a 'White Supremacist'? |url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/kyle-rittenhouse-biden/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001121533/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/kyle-rittenhouse-biden/ |archive-date=October 1, 2022 |access-date=October 1, 2022 |website=Snopes.com |language=en-US}} Rittenhouse said using his image and linking him to white supremacy was "actual malice, defaming my character, for him to say something like that."{{cite news |last1=Mastrangelo |first1=Dominick |title=Rittenhouse says Biden defamed his character |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/582747-rittenhouse-says-biden-defamed-his-character-when-president-linked-him-to-white/ |access-date=July 6, 2022 |website=The Hill |date=November 22, 2021 |archive-date=June 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612104836/https://thehill.com/homenews/582747-rittenhouse-says-biden-defamed-his-character-when-president-linked-him-to-white/ |url-status=live }} Charles Homans, writing for The New York Times, reported that Rittenhouse was adopted as an informal mascot of the Proud Boys and was photographed surrounded by members of the group after he was released on bond.{{Cite news |last=Homans |first=Charles |date=October 26, 2021 |title=Kyle Rittenhouse and the New Era of Political Violence |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/26/magazine/kyle-rittenhouse-kenosha-wisconsin.html |access-date=October 2, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126195520/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/26/magazine/kyle-rittenhouse-kenosha-wisconsin.html |url-status=live }}
Right-wing memes using Rittenhouse's image have spread on social media.{{cite news |last1=Covucci |first1=David |title=Right-wing memes praising Wisconsin protest shooter surge online |url=https://www.dailydot.com/debug/kyle-rittenhouse-memes-ann-coulter-wisconsin-protest-shooting/ |access-date=July 7, 2022 |website=Daily Dot |date=August 27, 2020 |archive-date=May 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517094841/https://www.dailydot.com/debug/kyle-rittenhouse-memes-ann-coulter-wisconsin-protest-shooting/ |url-status=live }} In a study of his image being used as a meme on Twitter, the Global Network on Extremism and Technology found thousands of instances of Rittenhouse's face and commentary on his actions shared through a variety of different hashtags.{{cite news |last1=Stall |first1=Hampton |last2=Foran |first2=David |last3=Prasad |first3=Hari |title=What's in a Meme? The Rise of 'Saint Kyle' |url=https://gnet-research.org/2020/10/29/whats-in-a-meme-the-rise-of-saint-kyle/ |access-date=July 7, 2022 |website=The Global Network on Extremism & Technology |date=October 29, 2020 |archive-date=June 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628063313/https://gnet-research.org/2020/10/29/whats-in-a-meme-the-rise-of-saint-kyle/ |url-status=live }} Multiple political figures have shared those memes, including Donald Trump Jr.{{cite news |last1=McCallig |first1=Elaine |title=Trump Jr sparks backlash after posting meme of his father giving Kyle Rittenhouse a medal |url=https://www.indy100.com/news/trump-jr-kyle-rittenhouse-medal-meme-b1962678 |access-date=July 7, 2022 |newspaper=The Independent |date=November 23, 2021 |archive-date=March 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301021800/https://www.indy100.com/news/trump-jr-kyle-rittenhouse-medal-meme-b1962678 |url-status=live }} and Barry Moore.{{cite news |title=Republican congressional nominee draws criticism over meme about Wisconsin shooting |url=https://abc13.com/barry-moore-kyle-rittenhouse-wisconsin-shooting-meme-politician-posts-about-deadly/6397433/ |access-date=July 7, 2022 |work=ABC 13 |agency=Associated Press |date=September 1, 2020 |archive-date=May 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517104950/https://abc13.com/barry-moore-kyle-rittenhouse-wisconsin-shooting-meme-politician-posts-about-deadly/6397433/ |url-status=live }} In March 2022, Rittenhouse shared a meme of himself crying while on the witness stand during his trial, manipulated to appear like he was crying about rising gas prices, which he tweeted was "thanks to a Joe Biden presidency".{{cite news |last1=Baio |first1=Ariana |title=Kyle Rittenhouse shares meme of himself crying about 'Biden's gas prices' |url=https://www.indy100.com/viral/kyle-rittenhouse-meme-gas-prices |access-date=July 7, 2022 |newspaper=The Independent |date=March 24, 2022 |archive-date=April 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412213829/https://www.indy100.com/viral/kyle-rittenhouse-meme-gas-prices |url-status=live }}
Rittenhouse's image has been used for a number of products and sales, including clothing, a gun sale, and a video game. Fans of Rittenhouse have continued to sell clothing with his image following the trial.{{cite book |last1=Osnos |first1=Evan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zxgQEAAAQBAJ&pg=PP1 |title=Wildland: The Making of America's Fury |date=2021 |publisher=Farrar, Straus and Giroux |isbn=978-0374720735 |access-date=July 4, 2022 |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706185339/https://books.google.com/books?id=zxgQEAAAQBAJ&lpg=PP1&pg=PP1 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Clayton |first1=James |title=Kyle Rittenhouse: YouTube struggles with hero worship |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-55212179 |access-date=June 24, 2022 |website=BBC |date=December 21, 2020 |archive-date=December 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205182908/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-55212179 |url-status=live }} In 2020, YouTube was criticized for a lack of adequate content moderation – arbitrarily allowing videos depicting Rittenhouse which glorified violence and monetized the killings through links to merchandise – until it was pointed out by a BBC journalist.
The week following Rittenhouse's acquittal, the Saddle River Range gun store in Conroe, Texas, held a "not guilty" sale and the owner posted a photo of Rittenhouse with a gun on their Instagram page.{{cite news |last1=Willets |first1=Mitchell |title=Texas gun shop defends 'not guilty sale' after Rittenhouse trial. 'We are celebrating' |url=https://www.star-telegram.com/news/nation-world/national/article256037597.html |access-date=July 6, 2022 |newspaper=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |date=November 23, 2021 |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706185348/https://www.star-telegram.com/news/nation-world/national/article256037597.html |url-status=live }}
The same week, speculation on a book deal began. Attorney Andrew M. Stroth, who previously worked as a talent agent, said Rittenhouse could "easily" get a book contract over $1 million.{{cite news |title='He Could Easily Secure Seven-Figure Book Contract': Kyle Rittenhouse Ponders What's Next |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/he-could-easily-secure-seven-figure-book-contract-kyle-rittenhouse-ponders-whats-next/ |access-date=June 24, 2022 |agency=Associated Press |date=November 29, 2021 |archive-date=June 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220624223932/https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/he-could-easily-secure-seven-figure-book-contract-kyle-rittenhouse-ponders-whats-next/ |url-status=live |work=CBS News }} In January 2022, Rittenhouse spokesman David Hancock said Rittenhouse was considering writing a book chronicling his "unorthodox journey into adulthood".{{cite news |last1=Hurley |first1=Bevan |title=Kyle Rittenhouse in talks to write book about his 'unorthodox journey into adulthood' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/kyle-rittenhouse-book-kenosha-wisconsin-b1987511.html |access-date=June 24, 2022 |newspaper=The Independent |date=January 5, 2022 |archive-date=April 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425163003/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/kyle-rittenhouse-book-kenosha-wisconsin-b1987511.html |url-status=live }} He further said the discussions were in the "early phase". In December 2023, Rittenhouse's book Acquitted was released, coauthored with Mark Richards and Michael Quinn Sullivan.{{cite news |url=https://spectrumnews1.com/wi/milwaukee/news/2023/12/05/kyle-rittenhouse-book-acquitted |title=Kyle Rittenhouse releases new book, 'Acquitted' |date=December 5, 2023 |work=Spectrum News |first=Aly |last=Prouty |access-date=June 18, 2024}} Richards was Rittenhouse's lead defense lawyer,{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/02/us/rittenhouse-defense-lawyer-mark-richards.html |title=Kyle Rittenhouse's defense is led by a high-profile local lawyer |date=November 2, 2021 |newspaper=The New York Times |first=Julie |last=Bosman |access-date=June 18, 2024}} and Sullivan was the CEO of former conservative advocacy group Empower Texans.{{cite news |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/What-is-Empower-Texans-A-look-at-the-group-14273613.php |title=What is Empower Texans? A look at the group that's roiling the Texas House |date=August 1, 2019 |newspaper=Houston Chronicle |first=Taylor |last=Goldenstein |access-date=June 18, 2024}}
=Video games=
In March 2022, Swedish company Nordic Empire Games launched a video game featuring Rittenhouse called Acquitted. Described as a far-right extremist group owned by William Hahne, the organization created the game that features Rittenhouse shooting his way through crowds of zombies with the choice of 18 different weapons.{{cite news |last=Goforth |first=Claire |date=May 9, 2022 |title=Kyle Rittenhouse inspires politician who wants to repatriate immigrants to make video game about night the Midwestern teen killed 2 people |website=The Daily Dot |url=https://www.dailydot.com/debug/kyle-rittenhouse-video-game/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613115752/https://www.dailydot.com/debug/kyle-rittenhouse-video-game/ |archive-date=June 13, 2022}} It was launched through the Steam hosting platform and available for $5. It was not announced if Nordic Empire Games had sought permission to use Rittenhouse's image.
On June 23, 2022, Rittenhouse announced a video game called Kyle Rittenhouse's Turkey Shoot, developed by Mint Studios, to raise money for unspecified future media defamation lawsuits.{{cite news |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kyle-rittenhouse-turkey-shoot_n_62b4b37ae4b0cf43c861e5af |title=Kyle Rittenhouse Announces New Video Game To Shoot 'Fake News' |date=June 23, 2022 |work=HuffPost |first=David |last=Moye |access-date=July 9, 2022 |archive-date=July 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709153247/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kyle-rittenhouse-turkey-shoot_n_62b4b37ae4b0cf43c861e5af |url-status=live }} The video game, which features a cartoon Rittenhouse holding a bright orange gun with the aim of shooting turkeys that represent the media, has no stated release date.{{Cite news |date=June 27, 2022 |title=Kyle Rittenhouse keeping himself in the public eye, launching anti-'Fake News' game |url=https://journaltimes.com/news/local/kyle-rittenhouse-keeping-himself-in-the-public-eye-launching-anti-fake-news-game/article_8e3459b2-f598-11ec-8d6a-5f00aae30c56.html |access-date=July 6, 2022 |newspaper=Journal Times |language=en |archive-date=July 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701030822/https://journaltimes.com/news/local/kyle-rittenhouse-keeping-himself-in-the-public-eye-launching-anti-fake-news-game/article_8e3459b2-f598-11ec-8d6a-5f00aae30c56.html |url-status=live }} In a social media advertisement for the game, Rittenhouse described the media as "nothing but a bunch of turkeys with nothing better to do than to push their lying agenda and destroy innocent people's lives."{{cite news |last1=Klimentov |first1=Mikhail |title=Kyle Rittenhouse announces video game to fund media defamation suits |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2022/06/23/kyle-rittenhouse-video-game-defamation/ |access-date=June 24, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=June 23, 2022 |archive-date=June 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220624223940/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2022/06/23/kyle-rittenhouse-video-game-defamation/ |url-status=live }}
Political internship offers, namesake bills, and politics
Rittenhouse has been publicly offered multiple internships, all by Republican lawmakers. On November 17, 2021, two days before the jury's decision, Florida House Representative Matt Gaetz offered him an internship.{{cite news |last1=Lonas |first1=Lexi |title=Madison Cawthorn offers Rittenhouse an internship |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/582404-madison-cawthorn-offers-rittenhouse-an-internship/ |access-date=June 26, 2022 |work=The Hill |date=November 29, 2021 |archive-date=June 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627070806/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/582404-madison-cawthorn-offers-rittenhouse-an-internship/ |url-status=live }} In response, Arizona House Representative Paul Gosar tweeted he would arm-wrestle Gaetz for the chance to have Rittenhouse as an intern.{{cite news |last1=Chang |first1=Alisa |title=For far-right groups, Rittenhouse's acquittal is a cause for celebration |url=https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1057478725 |access-date=June 27, 2022 |work=NPR |date=November 19, 2021 |archive-date=June 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627070804/https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1057478725 |url-status=live }} On the day the jury found Rittenhouse not guilty on all charges, North Carolina House Representative Madison Cawthorn offered Rittenhouse an internship. During an appearance on Newsmax, Colorado House Representative Lauren Boebert responded to Cawthorn's offer and challenged Cawthorn, who is bound to a wheelchair, to "a sprint" to employ Rittenhouse as an intern.{{cite news |last1=Bailey |first1=Jeremy |date=November 23, 2021 |title=Lauren Boebert Challenges Wheelchair-Bound Madison Cawthorn to a Sprint on Newsmax (Video) |website=TheWrap |url=https://www.thewrap.com/lauren-boebert-madison-cawthorn-sprint-challenge-newsmax/ |access-date=June 27, 2022 |archive-date=June 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627070804/https://www.thewrap.com/lauren-boebert-madison-cawthorn-sprint-challenge-newsmax/ |url-status=live }} In response to Gaetz, Gosar, and Cawthorn offering the internships, Missouri House representative Cori Bush called for their expulsion, tweeting "Not only do these members fuel violence. Now they're actively recruiting someone whose sole qualification is killing people standing up for Black lives and getting away with it."{{cite news |last1=Klein |first1=Charlotte |title=Republicans Now Want Biden to Apologize to Kyle Rittenhouse |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/11/republicans-now-want-biden-to-apologize-to-kyle-rittenhouse |access-date=July 6, 2022 |magazine=Vanity Fair |date=November 21, 2021 |archive-date=November 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123223032/https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/11/republicans-now-want-biden-to-apologize-to-kyle-rittenhouse |url-status=live }}
At least two laws, a bill, and a proclamation have been proposed in different states which have been named after Rittenhouse. In November 2021, U.S. House representative from Georgia Marjorie Taylor Greene introduced the Kyle H. Rittenhouse Congressional Gold Medal Act (H.R.6070) during the 117th United States Congress.{{cite news |last1=Alfaro |first1=Mariana |title=Rep. Greene introduces bill to award Congress's highest honor to Kyle Rittenhouse, who fatally shot two men |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/greene-rittenhouse-congressional-gold-medal/2021/11/24/c09980d2-4d49-11ec-a1b9-9f12bd39487a_story.html |access-date=July 6, 2022 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=November 24, 2021 |archive-date=June 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612061357/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/greene-rittenhouse-congressional-gold-medal/2021/11/24/c09980d2-4d49-11ec-a1b9-9f12bd39487a_story.html |url-status=live }} The bill, which would award Rittenhouse the Congressional Gold Medal, had no co-sponsors.{{cite news |last1=Rai |first1=Sarakshi |title=Marjorie Taylor Greene introduces bill to award Congressional Gold Medal to Rittenhouse |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/583068-marjorie-taylor-greene-introduces-bill-to-award-congressional-gold-medal-to/ |access-date=July 6, 2022 |website=The Hill |date=November 24, 2021 |archive-date=January 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220130195220/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/583068-marjorie-taylor-greene-introduces-bill-to-award-congressional-gold-medal-to |url-status=live }} Taylor Greene said, "Kyle Rittenhouse deserves to be remembered as a hero who defended his community, protected businesses, and acted lawfully in the face of lawlessness. I'm proud to file this legislation to award Kyle Rittenhouse a Congressional Gold Medal."
In November 2021, Oklahoma Senate Representative Nathan Dahm introduced Senate Bill 1120, called "Kyle's Law". The bill states if a defendant is charged with murder, but is found not guilty due to justifiable homicide, the state must reimburse them.{{cite news |last1=Marcus |first1=Josh |title=Oklahoma senator pens 'Kyle's Law' for victims of 'malicious' prosecution after Rittenhouse case |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/kyles-law-rittenhouse-oklahoma-dahm-b1963973.html |access-date=June 27, 2022 |newspaper=The Independent |date=November 25, 2021 |archive-date=June 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627070804/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/kyles-law-rittenhouse-oklahoma-dahm-b1963973.html |url-status=live }} A modified version of the bill passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee with a majority Republican party-line 7–3 vote in February 2022.{{cite news |last1=Maranon |first1=Rick |title=Bill based off Kyle Rittenhouse Kenosha trial tweaked, moving forward |url=https://www.krmg.com/news/local/bill-based-off-kyle-rittenhouse-kenosha-trial-tweaked-moving-forward/5YJT6L74SVBGNH7XMQG2337G7Y/ |access-date=June 26, 2022 |work=KOKI-TV |date=March 1, 2022 |archive-date=March 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302051506/https://www.krmg.com/news/local/bill-based-off-kyle-rittenhouse-kenosha-trial-tweaked-moving-forward/5YJT6L74SVBGNH7XMQG2337G7Y/ |url-status=live }}
In January 2022, Tennessee State Representative Bruce Griffey introduced HB1769, also known as "Kyle's Law". The Hill said the law "would require the state to reimburse defendants found not guilty of homicide charges due to self-defense."{{cite news |last1=Folmar |first1=Chloe |title=Tennessee lawmaker presents self-defense bill in 'honor' of Kyle Rittenhouse |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/590457-tennessee-lawmaker-presents-self-defense-bill-in-honor-of-kyle-rittenhouse/ |access-date=June 26, 2022 |work=The Hill |date=January 19, 2022 |archive-date=June 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627070804/https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/590457-tennessee-lawmaker-presents-self-defense-bill-in-honor-of-kyle-rittenhouse/ |url-status=live }} Griffey additionally proposed a proclamation be created in honor of Rittenhouse, saying he "deserves to be recognized as a hero."
In November 2022, Rittenhouse met with Republican House of Representative members of the Second Amendment Caucus to discuss his experiences and answer questions from the caucus.{{cite news |last1=Brooks |first1=Emily |title=Kyle Rittenhouse meets with House GOP members |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/3741099-kyle-rittenhouse-meets-with-house-gop-members/ |access-date=December 1, 2022 |work=The Hill |date=November 17, 2022 |archive-date=December 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201183128/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/3741099-kyle-rittenhouse-meets-with-house-gop-members/ |url-status=live }} The meeting was held at the Conservative Partnership Institute in Washington D.C. Caucus members who were present included Reps. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Thomas Massie (R-KY), Andrew Clyde (R-GA) and Byron Donalds (R-FL). Rittenhouse said, "I'm 19 and just got to speak with leaders of the greatest country on earth! This was an amazing evening where I got to share my story and discuss the importance of the Second Amendment. Even while the radical left continues to sue me and disparage my name, I know these great leaders have my back."
In January 2023, a Texas brewery cancelled an anti-censorship rally it was to host featuring Rittenhouse, citing concerns by local patrons and a conflict with its own values. In response, Rittenhouse accused the brewery of censoring him.{{cite news |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2023/01/14/southern-star-brewery-kyle-rittenhouse/ |title=Conroe brewery receives flood of threats, harassment after canceling Kyle Rittenhouse event |date=January 14, 2023 |work=The Texas Tribune |first=Robert |last=Downen |access-date=January 15, 2023 |archive-date=January 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115005030/https://www.texastribune.org/2023/01/14/southern-star-brewery-kyle-rittenhouse/ |url-status=live }}
After moving to Texas, Rittenhouse became involved with Texas politics, appearing at political rallies and endorsing candidates. Rittenhouse has been working with former Texas House representative and Republican donor Jonathan Stickland.
In October 2024, after it became known that Rittenhouse planned to appear later that month at a charity music festival in Orlando, several bands pulled out of the event, including Evergreen Terrace, who referred to him as a "murderer". Organizers of the Shell Shock II festival, which supports first responders dealing with injuries such as PTSD, upheld Rittenhouse's participation, saying in part that "everyone is welcome".{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2024/10/01/shell-shock-festival-kyle-rittenhouse-controversy/75472735007/ |title=Shell Shock festival criticized for Kyle Rittenhouse appearance: 'We do not discriminate' |date=October 1, 2024 |newspaper=USA Today |first=Jay |last=Stahl |access-date=October 4, 2024}}{{cite news |url=https://www.silive.com/news/2024/10/bands-withdraw-from-florida-music-festival-over-scheduled-appearance-of-kyle-rittenhouse-report.html |title=Bands withdraw from Florida music festival over scheduled appearance of Kyle Rittenhouse: Report |date=October 2, 2024 |work=SILive |first=Scott R. |last=Axelrod |access-date=October 4, 2024}}
=Gun advocacy=
Rittenhouse has become a gun rights advocate since his trial.{{cite news |last=Kilander |first=Gustaf |title=Kyle Rittenhouse meets pro-gun Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/kyle-rittenhouse-gop-second-amendment-b2228266.html |work=The Independent |date=November 18, 2022 |language=en |access-date=February 2, 2023 |quote=The teenager has become a gun rights advocate since his trial |archive-date=February 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202040130/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/kyle-rittenhouse-gop-second-amendment-b2228266.html |url-status=live }} In August 2023, he formed the Rittenhouse Foundation, a Texas-based non-profit with a stated purpose to protect legal rights. The organization's filing includes wording from the Second Amendment. Chris McNutt, president of Texas Gun Rights, is also a director of the foundation.{{Cite news |last=Skipworth |first=William |date=August 16, 2023 |title=Kyle Rittenhouse Launches Foundation Aimed At Fighting Gun Control |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/willskipworth/2023/08/16/kyle-rittenhouse-launches-foundation-aimed-at-fighting-gun-control/ |access-date=2024-06-25 |work=Forbes}}
In March 2024, Rittenhouse rushed off a University of Memphis stage after being confronted with protests and politically themed questions.{{cite news |url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/education/2025/01/21/kyle-rittenhouse-memphis-university-appearance/77855262007/ |title=Kyle Rittenhouse plans return to University of Memphis after protesters disrupt 2024 event |newspaper=Commercial Appeal |date=January 21, 2025 |first=Jordan |last=Green |access-date=February 5, 2025}} He returned to the university in late February 2025 and spoke without interruptions to about 40 people, taking some questions afterward while protestors were gathered outside. Both speaking events were sponsored by Turning Point USA.{{cite news |first1=Brooke |last1=Muckerman |first2=Lucas |last2=Finton |date=February 26, 2025 |url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/local/2025/02/26/kyle-rittenhouse-univeristy-of-memphis-speech/79333559007/ |title=Kyle Rittenhouse speaks to small Memphis crowd year after being booed off U of M stage |newspaper=Commercial Appeal |access-date=February 27, 2025}}
In June 2024, Rittenhouse was named outreach director for Texas Gun Rights, a state affiliate of the National Association for Gun Rights.{{Cite news |last=Briggs |first=Shakari |date=June 11, 2024 |title=Texas Gun Rights names Kyle Rittenhouse new outreach director |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/article/texas-gun-rights-kyle-rittenhouse-19509109.php |access-date=2024-06-24 |work=Houston Chronicle}}
Media projects
= Media Accountability Project =
In February 2022, Rittenhouse announced he was launching the Media Accountability Project, sometimes referred to by its acronym TMAP,{{cite news |last1=Pengelly |first1=Martin |date=February 22, 2022 |title=Kyle Rittenhouse launches initiative to fight media 'lies' |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/feb/22/kyle-rittenhouse-initiative-targets-media-whoopi-goldberg |access-date=July 1, 2022 |archive-date=June 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607221804/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/feb/22/kyle-rittenhouse-initiative-targets-media-whoopi-goldberg |url-status=live }} during another interview on Tucker Carlson Tonight, saying:
{{Blockquote|text=Me and my team have decided to launch The Media Accountability Project as a tool to help fundraise and hold the media accountable for the lies they said and deal with them in court. I don't want to see anybody else have to deal with what I went through. So I want to hold them accountable for what they did to me, because I don't want to see anybody have to go through what I went through.{{cite news |last1=Heine |first1=Debra |title=Kyle Rittenhouse Launches New Initiative to Hold Media Outlets Accountable for Telling Defamatory Lies |url=https://tennesseestar.com/2022/02/23/kyle-rittenhouse-launches-new-initiative-to-hold-media-outlets-accountable-for-telling-defamatory-lies/ |access-date=July 11, 2022 |newspaper=The Tennessee Star |date=February 23, 2022 |archive-date=February 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223174758/https://tennesseestar.com/2022/02/23/kyle-rittenhouse-launches-new-initiative-to-hold-media-outlets-accountable-for-telling-defamatory-lies/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Folkenflik |first1=David |title=Palin's defamation case is part of a conservative strategy to take on the media |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/02/25/1083003350/palins-defamation-case-is-part-of-a-conservative-strategy-to-take-on-the-media |access-date=July 11, 2022 |work=Morning Edition |publisher=NPR |date=February 25, 2022 |archive-date=July 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711155015/https://www.npr.org/2022/02/25/1083003350/palins-defamation-case-is-part-of-a-conservative-strategy-to-take-on-the-media |url-status=live }}}}
Rittenhouse's announcement drew a comparison by The Tennessee Star to Nicholas Sandmann, a Covington Catholic High School student from Kentucky who became known for the January 2019 Lincoln Memorial confrontation.{{cite news |last1=Heine |first1=Debra |title=Kyle Rittenhouse Launches New Initiative to Hold Media Outlets Accountable for Telling Defamatory Lies |url=https://tennesseestar.com/2022/02/23/kyle-rittenhouse-launches-new-initiative-to-hold-media-outlets-accountable-for-telling-defamatory-lies/ |access-date=June 27, 2022 |newspaper=The Tennessee Star |date=February 23, 2022 |archive-date=February 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223174758/https://tennesseestar.com/2022/02/23/kyle-rittenhouse-launches-new-initiative-to-hold-media-outlets-accountable-for-telling-defamatory-lies/ |url-status=live }}
In 2022, a satirical story turned into a rumor circulating on social media saying that Rittenhouse had filed and settled a lawsuit against Whoopi Goldberg and The View. The story was false.{{Cite news |date=May 27, 2022 |last=Kelety |first=Josh |title='The View' hasn't settled a lawsuit with Kyle Rittenhouse |url=https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-kyle-rittenhouse-the-view-abc-677910767107 |access-date=August 11, 2022 |publisher=AP NEWS |language=en |archive-date=August 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811234609/https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-kyle-rittenhouse-the-view-abc-677910767107 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Emery |first=David |date=May 26, 2022 |title=Did 'The View' Settle with Rittenhouse for $22 Million? |url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/the-view-settles-rittenhouse-22-million/ |access-date=July 4, 2022 |work=Snopes |language=en-US |archive-date=June 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628081734/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/the-view-settles-rittenhouse-22-million/ |url-status=live }}
=YouTube channel=
Rittenhouse launched a YouTube channel focusing on guns and the Second Amendment on October 16, 2022.{{cite news |last1=Patrick |first1=Holly |title=Kyle Rittenhouse starts new YouTube channel about guns |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/youtube-gun-kyle-rittenhouse-kenosha-b2205247.html |access-date=October 18, 2022 |work=The Independent |date=October 18, 2022 |archive-date=October 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018182215/https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/youtube-gun-kyle-rittenhouse-kenosha-b2205247.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Jason |title=Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse offering 'advice' on new YouTube channel |url=https://www.cbs58.com/news/kenosha-shooter-kyle-rittenhouse-offering-advice-on-new-youtube-channel |access-date=October 18, 2022 |publisher=CBS58 |date=October 17, 2022 |archive-date=October 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017212955/https://cbs58.com/news/kenosha-shooter-kyle-rittenhouse-offering-advice-on-new-youtube-channel |url-status=live }} His first video on the channel showed him firing a handgun and an automatic rifle and included the YouTube gun advocate Brandon Herrera as a guest.{{Cite web |last=Rogan |first=Adam |date=October 19, 2022 |title=Kyle Rittenhouse launches pro-2nd Amendment YouTube channel |url=https://journaltimes.com/news/local/kyle-rittenhouse-launches-pro-2nd-amendment-youtube-channel/article_0cb6a82e-4fe6-11ed-acdb-1f5ee3d23e2f.html |access-date=October 31, 2022 |website=Journal Times |language=en |archive-date=October 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031021349/https://journaltimes.com/news/local/kyle-rittenhouse-launches-pro-2nd-amendment-youtube-channel/article_0cb6a82e-4fe6-11ed-acdb-1f5ee3d23e2f.html |url-status=live }} The video has since been deleted, and the channel appears to have become dormant with no new videos uploaded.
Personal life
In 2022, after being acquitted of the Kenosha shootings, Rittenhouse moved to Texas.{{Cite news |last=Downen |first=Robert |date=August 16, 2023 |title=Kyle Rittenhouse launches nonprofit with far-right Texans as he ramps up political engagement in the state |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2023/08/16/kyle-rittenhouse-texas-foundation/ |access-date=2023-12-10 |work=The Texas Tribune |language=en}}
=Educational aspirations=
In October 2021, Rittenhouse started taking online classes at Arizona State University as a non-degree seeking student, and wanted to transition to in-person classes.{{cite news |last1=Steinbach |first1=Allison |title=As controversy over his enrollment swirls, ASU says Kyle Rittenhouse is not currently a student |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/11/30/kyle-rittenhouse-no-longer-arizona-state-student-university-says/8809052002/ |access-date=June 24, 2022 |newspaper=Arizona Republic |date=November 30, 2021 |archive-date=June 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609200025/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/11/30/kyle-rittenhouse-no-longer-arizona-state-student-university-says/8809052002/ |url-status=live }} Non-degree seeking students at ASU go through a "modified admissions process" instead of the full admissions process for degree-seeking students.{{cite news |last1=Schwenk |first1=Katya |title=Now You See Him, Now You Don't: Kyle Rittenhouse Is No Longer an ASU Student |url=https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/arizona-state-university-says-kyle-rittenhouse-not-enrolled-in-any-classes-12518677 |access-date=June 25, 2022 |newspaper=Phoenix New Times |date=November 29, 2021 |archive-date=June 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625232219/https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/arizona-state-university-says-kyle-rittenhouse-not-enrolled-in-any-classes-12518677 |url-status=live }} ASU students held a rally called "Killer off campus" to protest Rittenhouse's enrollment. Multiple student groups organized the rally, including Students for Justice in Palestine, Students for Socialism, ASU's MEChA chapter, and the Multicultural Solidarity Coalition. By the next month, he had withdrawn. ASU has stated that even if Rittenhouse had been found guilty, that would not have affected his enrollment since it is not ASU's policy to consider criminal records of applicants or students, and he could have continued even if in prison.
In a June 2022 appearance on The Charlie Kirk Show, Rittenhouse said he would be attending Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas; a spokesperson from the university denied he had been accepted.{{cite news |last1=McGee |first1=Kate |title=Kyle Rittenhouse now says he's going to Blinn College, after Texas A&M said he's not a student |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2022/06/06/kyle-rittenhouse-texas-am-blinn/ |access-date=June 24, 2022 |newspaper=Texas Tribune |date=June 6, 2022 |archive-date=June 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220618061633/https://www.texastribune.org/2022/06/06/kyle-rittenhouse-texas-am-blinn/ |url-status=live }} After that announcement, Rittenhouse posted on Twitter he would be attending Blinn College, a junior college and what he referred to as a "feeder school" for Texas A&M.{{Cite web |last=Jaschik |first=Scott |date=June 13, 2022 |title=Kyle Rittenhouse won't be admitted to Texas A&M this year |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/admissions/article/2022/06/13/kyle-rittenhouse-wont-be-admitted-texas-am-year |access-date=July 4, 2022 |website=Inside Higher Ed |language=en |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706185341/https://www.insidehighered.com/admissions/article/2022/06/13/kyle-rittenhouse-wont-be-admitted-texas-am-year |url-status=live }} A Blinn College spokesperson confirmed Rittenhouse had applied, but had "not enrolled for a current or upcoming term".
Notes
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References
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External links
{{Commons category|Kyle Rittenhouse}}
{{Wikiquote|Kyle Rittenhouse}}
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{{wikinews|Suspect in Kenosha, Wisconsin protester killings released from jail on US$2 million bond}}
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Category:21st-century American people
Category:American gun rights activists
Category:American media personalities
Category:American people acquitted of murder
Category:People from Antioch, Illinois
Category:Shooting of Jacob Blake
Category:Prisoners and detainees of Illinois