‘We’re in big trouble’: Internet aghast as Kyle Rittenhouse is called an ‘inspiration’ for young men

ANTIOCH, ILLINOIS: On August 25, 2020, at a Black Lives Matter protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse opened fire, killing two people - 26-year-old Anthony Huber and 36-year-old Joseph Rosenbaum.

Rittenhouse, who was armed with a semi-automatic AR-15-style assault rifle, also injured a 26-year-old man named Gaige Grosskreutz.

He stated he used the gun in self-defense and was acquitted of first-degree intentional homicide, attempted first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree reckless homicide, and two first-degree recklessly endangering safety offenses.

Rittenhouse, now 20, has written a book titled ‘Acquitted’ that he describes as "the real and honest version of my story".

Rittenhouse has hit the promotional tour for his memoir and appeared opposite conservative podcast host Benny Johnson on ‘The Benny Show’ where he was asked to give advice to the young men who deem him to be an “inspiration".

Why is Kyle Rittenhouse in the news again?

Kyle Rittenhouse's recent media campaign appears to be less about presenting his version of events and more about consolidating his position as a far-right political figure.

Earlier this year, a judge authorized the family of Joseph Rosenbaum to sue Rittenhouse in civil court, where he could face significant financial damages.

This decision came after Rittenhouse had spent several months evading legal documents and the subsequent ramifications.

As per MSNBC, in August, Rosenbaum's estate filed a lawsuit against Rittenhouse, as well as several local law enforcement agencies.

Rittenhouse's decision to re-enter the national conversation with a memoir and the establishment of the ‘Rittenhouse Foundation’ this summer seem to be well-timed to take advantage of the 2024 campaign cycle.

With the support of prominent Republican donors and glowing interviews with figures like Tucker Carlson, Rittenhouse appears to be positioning himself for a future in politics.

Rittenhouse's new memoir is not a desperate attempt to remain relevant. Instead, it seems to be the opening salvo of a well-funded public relations campaign designed to establish Rittenhouse's personal brand as a political force.

One of Rittenhouse's fundraising appeals raised over $200,000 from sympathetic donors.

In the world of politics, the capability to raise that kind of money does not go unnoticed, and Republican strategists have already begun encouraging Rittenhouse to consider his political future.

One limitation for Rittenhouse is his age. He is only 20 years old and has two full political cycles before reaching the required age of 25 to seek a seat in the House of Representatives.

Entering politics at the state level might be a simpler option, as Rittenhouse's recent endorsements reveal he's already receiving high-level political advice from Illinois' far-right power players.

What was asked of Rittenhouse on ‘The Benny Show’?

In his conversation on Monday, December 4, with the podcast host of ‘The Benny Show,’ Benny Johnson, Rittenhouse was asked to advise the young men who look up to him as an inspiration.

Johnson says, “I think that young men are looking for inspiration. You were an inspiration to a great deal of them. They want to be able to stand up for themselves as you did.”

The host added, “I mean, maybe not, hopefully, God forbid, people find themselves in the same situation that you found yourself in, but they still wish to be able to stand up for themselves. Your advice to young men watching this?"

Rittenhouse responded, “My advice for young men my age watching this is just find motivation. I know I struggled with that a little bit. Just finding motivation to go out there and do things, do the right thing.”

He continues, “Not like go to a riot or anything, but the motivation to do the right thing and help people and get an education, be smart, be financially smart, and just be a good person. A lot of people struggle with that these days.”

Internet aghast at Rittenhouse’s book promotion and media interviews

People on X reacted to the clip of the exchange between Benny Johnson and Kyle Rittenhouse, sparking a range of unsympathetic responses.

One user said: "If he’s an inspiration to young men, we are in big trouble."

Another X user wrote: "What’s your advice to young men watching this? Kill people, get a MAGA judge, cry in court, pretend to be the victim and become a professional grifter."

Another user tweeted: "An utterly unexceptional moron found opportunity for “stardom” in the deadly intersection of state-sanctioned hate and fetishized gun violence, and when asked how he would advise other young men when it comes to “inspiration”, he can’t answer because “success” for him was temporarily being hailed a “hero” by a gun crazed racist cult for shooting and killing two people they view as the “enemy.” As an aside, I have a plastic houseplant more articulate than this goober."

One user remarked: "If he’s an inspiration to young men then we all need to start wearing Kevlar vests!"

Another X user asked: "An inspiration for young men to incite violence?"

One user wrote: "Ya… trying to squeeze out tears… Very inspiring…"

Another X user said: "Kyle Rittenhouse didn’t find himself in that situation he put himself in that situation. And what kind of loser do you have to be to want advice from Kyle?"

Finally, this user said: "Imagine how broken and violence-drunk you'd need to be to find inspiration here."