Kyle Rittenhouse has recently re-emerged on social media, albeit as the target of mockery rather than serious discussion. Despite having receded from the public eye after his high-profile trial concerning the fatal shootings of two individuals during a Black Lives Matter protest in Wisconsin in 2020, Rittenhouse has found himself at the center of a viral joke cycle.
An edited image of the now-23-year-old Rittenhouse has surfaced on various platforms, sparking a spree of trolling and humorous commentary. The photo depicts him with a noticeably altered appearance, which users have embellished with captions poking fun at his figure. One particularly popular post captioned, “Looks like Rittenhouse found a new job as the spokesman for Bob’s Big Boy,” has gained traction, amassing nearly 6,000 likes and over 1,000 comments.
This surge in online ridicule follows Rittenhouse’s decision to delete his accounts on X and Instagram, leading to speculation about his current life away from the public eye. Known for his involvement in the contentious events of August 25, 2020, and subsequent trial—where he was acquitted of all charges including homicide—Rittenhouse remains a polarizing figure in American discourse. Supporters often view him as a symbol of gun rights and self-defense, while many others criticize him as a perpetrator who escaped justice.
The mockery reached new heights as users altered images of Rittenhouse, including one joke that compared him to a Campbell’s Soup kid and implied that he is “eating people now instead of shooting them.” The original image had emerged back in December 2023 as part of an interview that Rittenhouse did with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson to promote his book titled “Acquitted.”
While Rittenhouse’s presence has diminished, the resurgence of these jokes illustrates how figures of controversy can continue to linger in public consciousness, often reshaped by humor. Despite the negative tone of the comments surrounding him, it’s a testament to how public narratives evolve and how social media continues to play a key role in shaping perceptions of individuals involved in high-stake incidents.