Kyle Rittenhouse returns to social media four years after controversial trial with shock image

Kyle Rittenhouse has made an unexpected return to social media, five years on from the shooting he carried out in Wisconsin.

The American gun rights activist has made a highly scrutinised return to the internet following an extended hiatus after he was charged with homicide, attempted homicide and reckless endangerment following the deaths of Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, and Anthony Huber, 26.

Rittenhouse killed both men during rioting in Kenosha, and wounded one more in Gaige Grosskreutz, 27, on August 25 2020.

He was found not guilty over a year later on 19 November 2021 on the aforementioned charges, with the then-teenager responsible for the casualties during the unstable period in the USA.

Now, he has taken to social media to make an important life announcement.

Writing on X, the activist said: "I'm back on social media, I'm back in the fight, and i'm here to stay.

"For a quick update, 6 months ago I made the best decision of my life and married my best friend. @BellRittenhouse, I couldn’t be happier. I love you beautiful.

"More big announcements coming soon..."

The 22-year-old then posted two images, one of which made headlines for all the reasons, as his new wife held up an AR-15 firearm to the camera.

Many were shocked by the snap, which comes just five years after his actions in the northeast US state.

I'm back on social media, I'm back in the fight, and i'm here to stay.

For a quick update, 6 months ago I made the best decision of my life and married my best friend. @BellRittenhouse, I couldn’t be happier. I love you beautiful.

More big announcements coming soon... pic.twitter.com/7gjG3wwZgy

— Kyle Rittenhouse (@rittenhouse2a) December 10, 2025

Then 17, Rittenhouse brought a semi-automatic rifle and a medical kit to the city of Kenosha in what he said was an attempt to protect businesses as riots broke out following the shooting of Jacob Blake.

Blake was an African American man was left paralysed from the waist down as a result of the shooting.

Attorneys for Rittenhouse successfully argued that he had acted in self-defence on that fateful day in August 2020, having been confronted and attacked by all three victims.

Rittenhouse has strongly stood against gun control legislation following his acquittal, even pushing for 'red flag' laws that would mean that weapons would be taken from people who show signs of harming either themselves or others.

Speaking in a post yesterday (10 December), he wrote: “I support the Second Amendment because without it, I might not be here today.

"In 2020, when I was 17, I was put in a situation where violent criminals attacked me, struck me in the head multiple times, and one even pointed a gun at my face.

"I’m no hero. I had no choice but to defend my own life in that moment."

He said that he isn't in prison and is alive due to his actions, and as 'the Founders recognized our God-given right to self-defense, and the jury recognized that simple fact.'

He told followers to 'stay tuned' and that they 'must defend the Second Amendment' at all costs.