The name Kyle Rittenhouse quickly became a cultural and political lightning rod in 2020. A teenager thrust into the chaos of the Kenosha riots, Rittenhouse was transformed by progressive media into the very symbol of “white supremacy,” “vigilantism,” and “right-wing extremism.” None of these accusations bore any connection to the actual evidence, but that didn’t matter. The real trial wasn’t just in the courtroom—it was in the public square, where truth itself was on trial.
This blog post will explore how the Rittenhouse case was distorted beyond recognition by major media outlets and progressive political figures, how facts were buried under ideological fervor, and why the eventual acquittal was not only just but essential for the rule of law in a constitutional republic.
Setting the Stage — The Events Leading to the Kenosha Riots
The events that culminated in the Rittenhouse trial did not emerge in a vacuum. They were part of a nationwide upheaval sparked by perceived injustices involving police interactions with African Americans. But in many cases, these perceptions were built on incomplete or deliberately twisted narratives.
The Jacob Blake Incident
- Date: August 23, 2020
- Location: Kenosha, Wisconsin
- Summary: Police shot Jacob Blake, a black man, as he resisted arrest and reached into his vehicle, where a knife was later found.
- Background: Blake had an active felony warrant for sexual assault, trespassing, and disorderly conduct in a domestic abuse case.
- Media Narrative: CNN, MSNBC, and many progressive politicians portrayed Blake as an innocent victim, ignoring the criminal warrant and the presence of a weapon.
The Aftermath
- Protests turned into full-blown riots within hours.
- Over $50 million in property damage occurred.
- Entire city blocks were looted or burned.
- Police and fire services were overwhelmed, and elected officials, including the governor of Wisconsin, refused President Trump’s offer of National Guard assistance until the damage was done.
Kyle Rittenhouse — His Intentions, Actions, and Testimony
Who Is Kyle Rittenhouse?
- A 17-year-old from Antioch, Illinois, just 20 miles from Kenosha.
- Volunteered as a lifeguard in Kenosha and was known to support law enforcement.
- His stated goal in going to Kenosha: protect property and render first aid.
Testimony from Witnesses
- Richie McGinnis, a reporter from The Daily Caller, testified that Rittenhouse attempted to de-escalate conflict and rendered medical aid to protesters.
- Video footage showed Rittenhouse offering assistance to rioters and calling out “Friendly! Friendly!” before being attacked.
- Friends of Rittenhouse said he brought a med-kit and had no intention of initiating violence.
What Happened That Night? A Timeline from Rittenhouse’s Perspective
August 25, 2020 — Night of the Shootings
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| ~8 PM | Rittenhouse arrives in Kenosha to help guard a used car dealership and administer first aid. |
| ~11:45 PM | Joseph Rosenbaum begins chasing Rittenhouse. Rosenbaum throws a bag (later identified as containing personal items), threatens Rittenhouse, and attempts to grab his rifle. |
| Seconds later | Rittenhouse shoots Rosenbaum in self-defense. |
| Rittenhouse flees the scene to surrender to police. | |
| Anthony Huber attacks him with a skateboard and tries to take his rifle. Rittenhouse shoots and kills Huber. | |
| Gaige Grosskreutz approaches with a handgun and points it at Rittenhouse. Rittenhouse shoots and injures him. | |
| Rittenhouse continues to walk toward police with his hands up but is not arrested on-site. He turns himself in to authorities in Illinois the next morning. |
Media Lies and Political Smears
False Claims by the Media
- Racial Narrative: The left claimed Rittenhouse was motivated by racism, despite the fact that all individuals involved were white.
- Gun Law Violation: Repeated claims he “crossed state lines with a gun” were false. The gun was already in Wisconsin and legally possessed under state law.
- “White Supremacist” Smear: MSNBC and CNN continually used this phrase, despite zero evidence of affiliation with white supremacist groups.
Political Irresponsibility
- Joe Biden featured an image of Rittenhouse in a 2020 campaign ad while discussing white supremacy.
- Representative Ayanna Pressley called him a “white supremacist domestic terrorist.”
- These smears were made before the trial, disregarding due process and inflaming national tensions.
Who Were the People Shot by Rittenhouse?
- Joseph Rosenbaum
- Criminal Record: Convicted child molester—five boys under 11 years old.
- Behavior: Aggressively chased Rittenhouse and tried to take his rifle.
- Anthony Huber
- Criminal Record: Domestic abuse, strangulation, false imprisonment.
- Behavior: Hit Rittenhouse with a skateboard and grabbed for the gun.
- Gaige Grosskreutz
- Criminal Record: Arrested for felony burglary and firearm violations.
- Behavior: Admitted on the stand that Rittenhouse only shot after he pointed a gun at him.
The Trial and the Clown Show of a Prosecution
Prosecutorial Misconduct
- Assistant DA Thomas Binger became infamous for pointing an AR-15 at the jury with his finger on the trigger—without checking if it was loaded.
- He violated Rittenhouse’s Fifth Amendment rights by suggesting guilt from his post-arrest silence.
- Introduced questionable evidence and made legally irrelevant and inflammatory claims about Rittenhouse playing video games.
Key Trial Moments
- Multiple witnesses confirmed Rittenhouse acted in self-defense.
- Grosskreutz’s own testimony sank the prosecution’s case.
- Judge Bruce Schroeder had to repeatedly reprimand prosecutors for violating court rules and constitutional rights.
The Verdict and Its Aftermath
- November 19, 2021: Kyle Rittenhouse was acquitted of all charges.
- Conservatives hailed the verdict as a triumph for the Second Amendment and due process.
- Progressives melted down on social media, claiming the justice system was broken.
- President Biden, after the verdict, stated he respected the jury’s decision—but refused to apologize for smearing Rittenhouse.
Broader Implications
Cultural and Legal Fallout
- Media trust has plummeted as Americans saw firsthand how easily truth is sacrificed on the altar of ideology.
- The case became a watershed moment for the debate over self-defense, Second Amendment rights, and trial by media.
- Kyle Rittenhouse was vindicated legally, but the media and political elite have never apologized.
A Symbol of Our Times
The Kyle Rittenhouse case was never just about one teenager defending himself during a riot. It was a test of America’s commitment to the rule of law versus the destructive power of ideological media and political manipulation.
That the truth prevailed—thanks to video evidence, a courageous judge, and a jury willing to look at facts—is a credit to our legal system. But the fact that such a blatant miscarriage of public narrative was possible shows how far the rot of partisan journalism and leftist ideology has spread.
Kyle Rittenhouse did not choose to become a symbol. The media made him one. But his trial was a landmark moment for every American who still believes in truth, self-defense, and justice
Robert Sparkman
rob@christiannewsjunkie.com
RELATED CONTENT
Richie McGinnis of the Daily Caller interviews Richie McGinnis on the Kyle Rittenhouse trial. Richie witnessed the events involved in the Kyle Rittenhouse affair.
Richie McGinniss of the Daily Caller testifies as an eyewitness at the Kyle Rittenhouse trial.
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