SLIM PICKINGS: Kyle Rittenhouse praised by Republicans as “ideal catch”
This story contains a correction.
Conservative organization Turning Point USA apparently thinks Kyle Rittenhouse is marriage material. A guest at TPUSA’s Young Women’s Leadership Summit, the high school dropout was introduced to a cheering crowd of women by Chief Creative Officer, Benny Johnson. Johnson asks the crowd: “Who in this room is unmarried? Oh my! OK. Well, Kyle Rittenhouse is backstage.”
Ron Filipkowski shared a video of the moment, on Twitter:
Kyle Rittenhouse is introduced at the Young Women’s Leadership Summit as the ideal catch for a husband: “I want to talk a lot about what kind of man you should be attracted to .. Men’s #1 goal is to protect your family .. and Kyle Rittenhouse is a man who does that.” pic.twitter.com/WLjIdQhc6d
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) June 5, 2022
Since shooting three people – killing two, injuring one – during a Black Lives Matter protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin in 2020, Rittenhouse has been the poster boy for the GOP’s war on equality, protest, and dissension. He’s been hailed as a hero and given VIP treatment by Republicans and MAGA supporters who were raising money for the then-17-year-old’s defense.
Claiming self-defense, Rittenhouse was acquitted of all charges – including two counts of homicide, and one count of attempted homicide – in November 2021. In a country still reeling from witnessing the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, the shooting of Jacob Blake seven times in the back by local police was a breaking point. Videos of burning buildings prompted Rittenhouse to cross state lines to “protect” property.
The month after escaping consequences for the deaths of 26-year-old Anthony Huber, 36-year-old Joseph Rosenbaum, and the wounding of Gaige Grosskreutz, 37 – Rittenhouse would be the star attraction at another Turning Point USA event, complete with fireworks, a DJ, and flashing lights.
Kyle Rittenhouse takes the stage at TPUSA’s AmericaFest to thousands of cheering fans chanting his name. He even gets his own Kyle Rittenhouse-themed song to come out to. pic.twitter.com/PD7nkjpQ81
— AZ Right Wing Watch (@az_rww) December 21, 2021
At an event attended by the likes of conspiracy theorist Jack Posobiec and Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (R-CO), the recently-acquitted double murderer didn’t appear to be a pariah to the Trump-loving crowd. As privilege and victimhood were on full display, Rittenhouse told the crowd:
“My trial was an example of them trying to come after our Second Amendment rights, or the right to defend ourselves in trying to take our weapons.”
He conveniently leaves out the crossing of state lines and the shooting of three unarmed people part.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, prior to the shootings, the Antioch, Illinois law enforcement stan frequently posted pro-Blue Lives Matter rhetoric on his Facebook page.
Rittenhouse was caught in an embarrassing lie when he said on the Charlie Kirk radio show that he had been accepted to Texas A&M University. Praising the school, he said to Kirk:
“I’m going to be going there, and it’s going to be awesome. It’s gonna be an amazing experience where I can go and finally get an education. Over the past six months, I’ve been out having fun, living my life being a free man. Now it’s time to go and get an education, get good grades, and be successful in life.”
Both the school and the internet wasted no time in refuting his claims. Texas A&M told the Dallas Morning News, “He has not been admitted as a student this summer or fall.”
NEW: Texas A&M University says Kyle Rittenhouse has not been admitted as a student this summer or fall.
Rittenhouse said on the Charlie Kirk Show Friday he would be going to Texas A&M.
— Kate McGee (@McGeeReports) June 5, 2022
Once exposed, it wasn’t long before Rittenhouse retreated to self-pity mode. Posting on Twitter:
Unfortunately, the end of my high school career was robbed from me. I didn't have the time other students get to properly prepare for the future.
I look forward to attending Blinn College District this year, a feeder school for Texas A&M.
I'm excited to join Texas A&M in 2023!
— Kyle Rittenhouse (@ThisIsKyleR) June 6, 2022
This isn’t the first time Kyle Rittenhouse has been caught in a lie. He previously claimed that he was studying nursing at Arizona State University. According to the New York Times, a spokesman for the school confirmed that Rittenhouse was enrolled in an online program, not an affiliated degree program.
The same day he was whining about being “robbed” of his childhood, Rittenhouse posted a video showing him shooting a high-powered military-style rifle with the caption, “Come and take ’em, Joe.”
Come and take ‘em, Joe. pic.twitter.com/MyNmqh7LeP
— Kyle Rittenhouse (@ThisIsKyleR) June 6, 2022
This is who MAGA considers a hero – and husband material. A high school dropout who shot three people and, instead of showing remorse, has leaned all in on excuses, victimhood, privilege, and entitlement. If the right thinks Rittenhouse is the future of man, we’re in way more trouble than I thought.
Follow Ty Ross on Twitter @cooltxchick
CORRECTION: This story has been corrected to delete the erroneous assertion that Rittenhouse was driven by his mother across state lines while armed with a rifle. The rifle was stashed across the border in Wisconsin and his mother did not drive him to the shooting. We apologize for the error.
