Comedian and The Daily Show host Trevor Noah has been commended online, after a video from August 2020 resurfaced in which he dismissed 18-year-old defendant Kyle Rittenhouse’s case as “bulls***”.
Rittenhouse, from Illinois, faces five charges after he shot three men during protests and riots in Kenosha, Wisconsin last year. His attorneys argue that the teenager went to the state to defend businesses, with Rittenhouse claiming that the shootings – which killed two of the three victims – occurred as an act of self-defence.
The 12 jurors are set to enter a second day of deliberations on Wednesday.
However, in the August 2020 video, Noah was unconvinced by Rittenhouse’s argument.
“Let me tell you something, no one drives into a city with guns because they love someone else’s business that much – that’s some bulls***.
“No one has ever thought, ‘oh, it’s my solemn duty to pick up a rifle and protect that TJ Maxx’, they do it because they’re hoping to shoot someone,” he said.
Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter
The South African presenter’s take has been met with support online:
Trevor Noah @TheDailyShow is without question a comedic genius, but his brilliant mind and genuine perspective is what I admire most.#KyleRittenhouseIsGuilty #KyleRittenhouseTrial pic.twitter.com/ZUDBpHlZpM
— Ambereve Ginunas (@JinkiesMsJenks) November 16, 2021
Trevor Noah has it right: pic.twitter.com/Px2AVcBhwz
— Democracy 4 All 😷💛 (@goodbye56789) November 16, 2021
Trevor Noah has the best verdict on Rittenhouse. pic.twitter.com/E44oLBlDL8
— Professor Smartass🌹 (@prof_smartass) November 16, 2021
Boom.
— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) November 16, 2021
As Trevor Noah noted, no one drives into a city heavily armed 'cause they really want to protect a business. They do so 'cause they're looking for trouble.
— Waylon Lewis & Elephant Journal (@elephantjournal) November 17, 2021
White boy looking for trouble: hero?!
Black boy with skittles: murdered. https://t.co/u3C4FeBWAG
As I've noted before, if you actively seek out trouble, the odds are better than even that either you will find it or it will find you. Trevor Noah gets it. pic.twitter.com/pim03YW15d
— Donald R. Koelper (@Donald_from_HI) November 17, 2021
Kenosha is preparing for unrest following the verdict, with 500 National Guard troops placed on standby by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers.
