Ann Coulter says she wants Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse, 17, as 'her president', Internet calls her 'insane'
Far-right media pundit and best-selling author Ann Coulter faced major backlash on Wednesday, August 26. She tweeted that she wanted Kyle Rittenhouse, the 17-year-old charged with shooting three people during a protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Tuesday, August 25, as her president.
Responding to a tweet that read, “I want Kyle Rittenhouse as my bodyguard,” Coulter wrote, “I want him as my president.”
She was immediately slammed on Twitter with many people condemning her suggestion as "insane." Reactions came in fast with people asking: "You want a 17yo kid who drove to Wisconsin from Illinois with an AR, as president. What happened to you?"
You want a 17yo kid who drove to Wisconsin from Illinois with an AR, as president. What happened to you?
— Danny C. (insert checkmark here) (@brasqo) August 26, 2020
"Wait didn't he kill two people?" asked one wondering at the incredulity of her suggestion.
"Yeah he's so cool, randomly shooting at people," said one, stating the fact that Coulter seemed to have chosen to ignore.
Yeah he's so cool, randomly shooting at people.https://t.co/Rz3g1HVIEz
— KC Murphy (@klcmurphy) August 26, 2020
"Ann Coulter supports a white supremacist? That’s so on brand of her," said one disappointed social media user.
Ann Coulter supports a white supremacist? That’s so on brand of her.
— John A Daniels (@TheJohnADaniels) August 26, 2020
"What the hell is wrong with you? Two people are dead and you’re celebrating? Somebody wasn’t hugged as a child!", said another asking what made Coulter make such a controversial statement.
What the hell is wrong with you? Two people are dead and you’re celebrating? Somebody wasn’t hugged as a child!
— MazJobrani (@MazJobrani) August 27, 2020
"The Right is evidently in a contest to see who can be as Deplorable as humanly possible. Coulter may win the prize today," declared one.
The Right is evidently in a contest to see who can be as Deplorable as humanly possible. Coulter may win the prize today
— Abby Normal (@Rebecca84841883) August 26, 2020
"We already have a white nationalist president with the mentality of a 17 year old @Ann," said another comparing Trump and the teen.
We already have a white nationalist president with the mentality of a 17 year old @Ann
— Dont@me (@rubytattoosdays) August 26, 2020
"Trump didn't kill someone on 5th ave, so Ann switches to the guy who did," wrote another angry social media user.
Trump didn't kill someone on 5th ave, so Ann switches to the guy who did.
— NN (@BurrningBrright) August 26, 2020
"He has no defense. 2 murders and an attempted murder in cold blood. These kids don’t realize that there’s no reset on this gun game they are playing yet @AnnCoulter is provoking more like him."
He has no defense. 2 murders and an attempted murder in cold blood. These kids don’t realize that there’s no reset on this gun game they are playing yet @AnnCoulter is provoking more like him.
— Andre Maddox (@Andre_Maddox1) August 26, 2020
However, not every social media user disagreed with Coulter as a few of them sided with her, seeing nothing wrong in the actions of Rittenhouse.
"Why is he charged? If he would not have fired they would have lynched him. He is not the aggressor. He was defending businesses that provide work to his community. Why are these leftist DA's allowed to charge him? Patriots, unite and do whatever is necessary to stop this."
Why is he charged? If he would not have fired they would have lynched him. He is not the aggressor. He was defending businesses that provide work to his community. Why are these leftist DA's allowed to charge him? Patriots, unite and do whatever is necessary to stop this.
— Gauis Helena Mohaim ❌🇮🇱🇧🇪🇺🇸 (@GauisHelenaMoha) August 26, 2020
"This is anarcho-tyranny in full view. We need to help Kyle with his legal defense. Anyone know of a way to donate to him?"
This is anarcho-tyranny in full view. We need to help Kyle with his legal defense. Anyone know of a way to donate to him?
— Charlton Griffin (@AudioConnoisseu) August 26, 2020
"I’d vote for him. I think this makes him a combat vet," said one convinced social media user.
I’d vote for him. I think this makes him a combat vet.
— CrimsonPirate (@PirateCrimson) August 26, 2020
Rittenhouse is facing a charge of first-degree intentional homicide in Kenosha for reportedly shooting and killing two people while injuring another. He is likely to be extradited to Wisconsin where he will be facing a trial. The Grayslake Police Department shared that he was a member of its Public Safety Cadet Program which is a youth program that "offers boys and girls the opportunity to explore a career in law enforcement."
As per his social media handles, it seems like Rittenhouse is very much a Trump supporter and the pro-law enforcement 'Blue Lives Matter' movement. It has also been reported that he appears to have attended President Donald Trump's campaign rallies back in January. Buzzfeed News revealed that a TikTok video shared from an account that appears to belong to him shows the teenager standing in the front row of a Trump rally in Des Moines in Iowa, on January 30.
Trump's campaign spokesperson Tim Murtaugh said in a statement to The Hill that the president "repeatedly and consistently condemned all forms of violence and believes we must protect all Americans from chaos and lawlessness. This individual had nothing to do with our campaign and we fully support our fantastic law enforcement for their swift action in this case."