Major Controversies Surrounding Kyle Rittenhouse: A Detailed Timeline

Public opinion and media debates around Kyle Rittenhouse—discover key moments of controversy.

Kyle Rittenhouse is an American man who, at 17, shot three men (two fatally) in Kenosha, Wisconsin, during 2020 protests following the shooting of Jacob Blake. Rittenhouse, armed and among a group claiming to protect businesses, engaged in confrontations, fatally shooting two men attempting to disarm him, and wounding another who aimed a handgun. Charged with homicide, Rittenhouse argued self-defense at trial and was acquitted in November 2021. As of February 2023, he faces two pending civil lawsuits.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

August 2020: Kenosha Shooting Incident

In August 2020, amid protests following the police shooting of Jacob Blake, 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse traveled to Kenosha, Wisconsin, and shot three men, fatally wounding two. He claimed self-defense.

August 2020: Travel to Kenosha

In late August 2020, 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse traveled from Antioch, Illinois, to Kenosha, Wisconsin, to help protect local businesses after protests following the shooting of Jacob Blake.

August 25, 2020: Kenosha Shooting

On August 25, 2020, Kyle Rittenhouse, armed with an AR-15 style rifle, shot three men during civil unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Prior to the unrest, he participated in cleaning graffiti.

2020: Biden Campaign Video

During his 2020 presidential campaign, Joe Biden used images of Kyle Rittenhouse in a campaign video, which the BBC noted "appeared to link Rittenhouse, without any evidence, to white supremacists."

2020: Controversy Over YouTube Content Moderation

In 2020, YouTube faced criticism for its content moderation regarding videos depicting Kyle Rittenhouse, allegedly allowing videos glorifying violence and monetizing the killings through merchandise links. This continued until a BBC journalist pointed it out.

August 2021: Federal Lawsuit Filed

In August 2021, the family of a man fatally shot by Kyle Rittenhouse filed a federal lawsuit in the Eastern District of Wisconsin against the police and county sheriff's departments in Kenosha.

October 2021: Grosskreutz Lawsuit Filed

In October 2021, Gaige Grosskreutz filed a lawsuit in federal court. Kyle Rittenhouse was later added as a named defendant in February 2023.

October 2021: Enrollment at Arizona State University and Protests

In October 2021, Kyle Rittenhouse began taking online classes at Arizona State University as a non-degree seeking student. ASU students held a rally called "Killer off campus" to protest Rittenhouse's enrollment. By the following month, he had withdrawn.

November 2021: Rittenhouse Acquittal

In November 2021, Kyle Rittenhouse was acquitted on all charges related to the Kenosha shooting incident after pleading self-defense at trial.

November 2021: Criminal Trial in Kenosha

In November 2021, at a criminal trial in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Kyle Rittenhouse's defense argued he acted in self-defense. Prosecutors contended he provoked the other participants and was an active shooter.

November 17, 2021: Internship Offers from Republican Lawmakers

On November 17, 2021, two days before the verdict in his trial, Florida House Representative Matt Gaetz offered Kyle Rittenhouse an internship. Other Republican lawmakers, including Paul Gosar, Madison Cawthorn, and Lauren Boebert, also offered internships. Cori Bush called for their expulsion.

January 2022: Rittenhouse Named as Defendant

In January 2022, Kyle Rittenhouse was added as a named defendant in the federal lawsuit initially filed in August 2021 by the family of one of the men he fatally shot.

January 2022: Introduction of "Kyle's Law"

In January 2022, Tennessee State Representative Bruce Griffey introduced HB1769, known as "Kyle's Law," which would require the state to reimburse defendants found not guilty of homicide due to self-defense. Griffey also proposed a proclamation honoring Rittenhouse, calling him a hero.

March 2022: Shared Gas Price Meme

In March 2022, Kyle Rittenhouse shared a meme on Twitter using a manipulated image of himself crying during his trial to mock rising gas prices, attributing it to Joe Biden's presidency.

March 2022: Acquitted Video Game Release

In March 2022, Swedish company Nordic Empire Games released a video game called "Acquitted", featuring Kyle Rittenhouse, available for $5 on the Steam platform. The game, which features Rittenhouse shooting zombies, was created by a far-right extremist group.

2022: False Lawsuit Rumor

In 2022, a satirical story circulated on social media claiming Kyle Rittenhouse had filed and settled a lawsuit against Whoopi Goldberg and The View. The story was false.

Loading Video...

January 2023: Brewery Cancels Anti-Censorship Rally

In January 2023, a Texas brewery cancelled an anti-censorship rally featuring Kyle Rittenhouse, citing concerns from local patrons and a conflict with its values. Rittenhouse responded by accusing the brewery of censoring him.

February 2023: Civil Lawsuits Pending

As of February 2023, two civil lawsuits against Kyle Rittenhouse were pending related to the August 2020 Kenosha shooting incident.

February 2023: Grosskreutz Adds Rittenhouse to Lawsuit

In February 2023, Gaige Grosskreutz, who survived the Kenosha shooting, added Kyle Rittenhouse as a defendant to a lawsuit initially filed in October 2021.

April 2023: Rittenhouse Countersues Grosskreutz

In April 2023, Kyle Rittenhouse countersued Gaige Grosskreutz, who had previously included Rittenhouse in a lawsuit against him.

March 2024: Protests at University of Memphis

In March 2024, Kyle Rittenhouse left a University of Memphis stage after facing protests and politically themed questions. The speaking event was sponsored by Turning Point USA.

October 2024: Bands Pull Out of Charity Music Festival

In October 2024, after it was announced Kyle Rittenhouse would appear at a charity music festival in Orlando, several bands, including Evergreen Terrace, pulled out of the event, with Evergreen Terrace calling him a "murderer". The organizers of the Shell Shock II festival supported Rittenhouse's participation.