A jury has found Kyle Rittenhouse not guilty on all counts - sparking right-wing celebrations on line.
Rittenhouse fatally shot two people and wounded a third last year during a protest last summer in Kenosha, Wisconsin after the death of Jacob Blake at the hands of police brutality. The defense and prosecution gave closing arguments Monday and the jury began deliberation Tuesday.
The 18-year-old was charged with counts of intentional, reckless, and attempted homicide and reckless endangerment as well as a misdemeanor charge of possessing a firearm as a minor and a curfew violation charge, both of which were dismissed prior to today.
Rittenhouse burst into tears and was held by his lawyers after the jury finished reading its verdict.
Kyle Rittenhouse breaks down in tears as the jury announces that they found him not guilty on all counts: pic.twitter.com/49xSxUVfae
— Washington Free Beacon (@FreeBeacon) November 19, 2021
Following Rittenhouse’s acquittal, Judge Bruce Schroeder thanked the jurors and said that he "couldn't have asked for a better jury to work with."
“I think without commenting on your verdict... the verdict themselves, just in terms of your attentiveness and the cooperation that you gave to us justifies the confidence that the founders of our country placed in you," he said.
He concluded: “Thank you so much, and after four years you're eligible for service again. It would be my pleasure to work with you. Thank you."
Since news of the verdict broke, conservatives have flocked to Twitter to celebrate, with the phrase “God Bless Kyle” becoming trending on the platform.
See reactions below:
I hope Rittenhouse bankrupts all of you dirtbags in media who smeared him as a white supremacist. I hope he ruins your life. I want you to suffer. It’s what you deserve. It’s justice.
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) November 19, 2021
Everyone should be happy with the #KyleRittenhouse verdict not because OF the verdict, but because the media, social media, and outright lies didn’t get to outweigh the truth which anyone who saw the footage could see.
— Nicole Arbour (@NicoleArbour) November 19, 2021
This case was good VS evil, and good won.
The next Congress must pass legislation proclaiming November 19th “Kyle Rittenhouse Day,” a new Federal Holiday
— Rep. Anthony Sabatini (@AnthonySabatini) November 19, 2021
Not guilty was the correct verdict. Anyone with a prefrontal cortex who had watched the trial for more than 30 seconds knew this. Anyone who says differently is a lying hack.
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) November 19, 2021
Kyle Rittenhouse is INNOCENT! pic.twitter.com/DsZyTQPqqE
— ACTforAmerica (@ACTforAmerica) November 19, 2021
I will donate money to Kyle Rittenhouse so he can sue the CRAP out of corporate media. pic.twitter.com/bVAekXWN9D
— Glenn Beck (@glennbeck) November 19, 2021
Justice has been served!! Not guilty!! God is good!!! #KyleRittennhouse
— Tomi Lahren (@TomiLahren) November 19, 2021
This is bigger than Kyle Rittenhouse,. This is where the tide starts to change. The decent people of this country are tired of allowing it to be destroyed by thugs and miscreants. Your time is up!! #KyleRittenhouseIsInnocent
— Tomi Lahren (@TomiLahren) November 19, 2021
God Bless You Kyle Rittenhouse! pic.twitter.com/FxPEvfd6qi
— The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 (@ColumbiaBugle) November 19, 2021
Kyle Rittenhouse did nothing wrong.
— Lauren Chen (@TheLaurenChen) November 19, 2021
Is social media still gonna ban people for saying that now? 😂
It’s a good day in America. I’m happy Kyle received a fair trial. I pray for his safety and his mental health. I feel bad anyone had to die but he was given no choice. May God bless Kyle in his healing process.
— Mel 🔥💛 (@MelissalM) November 19, 2021
Congratulations, Kyle Rittenhouse. Now, sue everybody.
— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) November 19, 2021
SUE THEM ALL, KYLE.
— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) November 19, 2021
EVERY LAST ONE. #KyleRittenhouse #NotGuilty pic.twitter.com/j7EUcfscUs
NOT GUILTY.
— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) November 19, 2021
Kyle Rittenhouse is free.
The criminal mob corporate enterprise that is masquerading as a movement concerned about black lives— FAILS.
Justice wins the day.
Joe Biden needs to publicly apologize to Kyle Rittenhouse.
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) November 19, 2021
Notably, the phrases “disgusted” and “not surprised” are trending on the social media platform in relation to the news.
One person summed up her disgust at the spectacle of Rittenhouse being hailed as a right-wing hero perfectly.
“100% unsurprised about the Rittenhouse verdict, but still sickened by the whole affair -- and most of all disgusted by how the right as cheered him on as a hero. It's one thing to believe he met the bar for self-defense. It's REALLY another to believe what he did was laudable,” Jill Filipovic wrote.
100% unsurprised about the Rittenhouse verdict, but still sickened by the whole affair -- and most of all disgusted by how the right as cheered him on as a hero. It's one thing to believe he met the bar for self-defense. It's REALLY another to believe what he did was laudable. https://t.co/lvwrUJ2jLH
— Jill Filipovic (@JillFilipovic) November 19, 2021