Gun rights activist Kyle Rittenhouse returned to social media this month, continuing his gun rights advocacy.
Rittenhouse, who was previously acquitted of all homicide charges after fatally shooting two people in Wisconsin, announced his return to social media, crediting the late Charlie Kirk and the nonprofit organization Texas Gun Rights. He said he supports the grassroots organization and explained why he suspended his social media accounts in a Jan. 5 video.
“Five years ago, I was forced to defend my life,” Rittenhouse said in the video. “The simple truth is if I wasn’t defending myself I would have been killed. When I was on trial, it was never really about me, it was about your right to self-defense. By the grace of God I was acquitted, but that acquittal did not spare me from years of relentless attacks. That’s why nearly a year ago I stepped away from the public eye and tried to live a private life.”
Rittenhouse has since gotten married to his wife Bella, whose Instagram account first featured a photo with Rittenhouse last May. At the beginning of this year, the pair also started an Instagram account for their Golden Retriever, Milo.
“But then, on September 10th, everything changed. I witnessed my friend, Charlie Kirk, assassinated by a violent leftist. Charlie was one of my most vocal defenders,” Rittenhouse said. “I realized I could no longer sit on the sidelines because silence only empowers those who celebrate political violence. That’s what Charlie believed in and it’s what I believe in too. So today, I’m done hiding.”
Five years ago, they tried to destroy my life for defending myself.
I beat the case — but the attacks never stopped, so I stepped away from the spotlight.
After Charlie Kirk was assassinated, I realized silence was no longer an option.
I’m back. And I’m rejoining the… pic.twitter.com/Efz6GLWKF3
— Kyle Rittenhouse
(@rittenhouse2a) January 5, 2026
Turning Point USA, the organization founded by Kirk, has hosted Rittenhouse for speaking events in the past.
Rittenhouse’s most recent post included a picture of him behind a machine gun, with the caption: “Thinking of taking this to Minneapolis. Thoughts?”
Thinking of taking this to Minneapolis. Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/RHnQ2TUrvB
— Kyle Rittenhouse
This comes as the city faces protesters against Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the area. Rittenhouse rose to public eye at age 17 during the 2020 riots in Kenosha, Wisconsin, when he shot and killed Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, and Anthony Huber, 26, in self-defense amid the riot.
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As of Wednesday, Rittenhouse’s Instagram account, Tactically Inappropriate, and a podcast by the same name on YouTube remain dormant. A previous business account by Rittenhouse, @Tier1_2A, has seemingly been deleted.
The Washington Examiner has reached out to Rittenhouse for comment.