On the third night of protests against Jacob Blake's shooting by police in Kenosha, 17 year old Trump supporter Kyle Rittenhouse drove across state lines with an assault weapon and killed two protesters, injuring a third.
Rittenhouse was permitted by police to leave the scene after the shooting—demonstrating for many the preferential treatment law enforcement extends to white people. He was arrested at his home in Illinois the following day.
Details of the shooting are still unfolding, but it's confirmed that Rittenhouse shot protester Joseph Rosenbaum before running away. He was pursued by protesters attempting to disarm him. Among them was Anthony Huber, who hit Rittenhouse with his skateboard before Rittenhouse opened fire, killing Huber.
At a press conference on Monday, President Donald Trump condemned the killing of Trump supporter Aaron 'Jay' Danielson in Portland, Oregon this past Saturday.
After attributing Danielson's murder to Democrats, Trump condemned the violence against Danielson at length.
Almost immediately after, he was asked if he'd condemn the violence committed by his supporters, including Rittenhouse.
In unsettling comments, Pres. Trump defended the actions of the 17-year-old suspect who killed 2 people and wounded a 3rd at a Kenosha protest last week (warning: distressing)
Earlier today, Joe Biden condemned Trump for fanning the flames of violence. pic.twitter.com/6aolPKf9Jt
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) August 31, 2020
Trump said:
"That was an interesting situation...He was trying to get away from them, I guess, looks like, and he fell, and then they very violently attacked him...I guess he was in very big trouble. He probably would've been killed."
Trump did not acknowledge that in the video he describes, Rittenhouse had already killed someone, which prompted protesters to pursue him.
People were pretty sure they knew why Trump wouldn't condemn Rittenhouse.
His base would never forgive him https://t.co/GkXpDkUJPB
— wear your mask (@ehforgetit) August 31, 2020
It's all about that base. https://t.co/yggDyvt1v0 pic.twitter.com/TIyEbSdqyx
— Not That Karen (@Karensmomismad) August 31, 2020
Of course he didn't -- that's his base. https://t.co/tf9o1j2SEV
— Dave Hamill (@cortisolic) August 31, 2020
And will not because Rittenhouse is the face of his base. https://t.co/8xmxFrYbwv
— timeforchange (D) 😷 (@MJfromtheCO) August 31, 2020
because he needs support of white supremacists
— Jennifer Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) August 31, 2020
Because he's giving other white supremacists the green light to do what Rittenhouse did.
— Scary Larry, Radical Left ANTIFA Captain™🇺🇸 👊🌊 (@StompTheGOP) August 31, 2020
Many weren't surprised to see the President dodge the question.
Did you expect him to? https://t.co/6yTU0zRrsX
— WOLFPACK01 (@SilverTDW) August 31, 2020
Who ACTUALLY thinks or thought he would? https://t.co/PvP5QV2Uuy
— Tanji Reed Marshall, PhD (@Remarsh76) August 31, 2020
*shocker* https://t.co/30G2pJ69nc
— Leah Carr @ least 6 feet away 💗💜💙🦄 (@rk_writesthings) August 31, 2020
Trump will travel to Kenosha tomorrow, against the wishes of local officials.
