Donald Trump Jr. was harshly criticized after he shared a meme showing his father, former President Donald Trump, presenting Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse with the congressional Medal of Honor.
It's unclear who created the meme, which Trump Jr. captioned on Instagram with the phrase, "2024?? Who knows?" implying his father would award Rittenhouse in the event he wins the next general election.
The meme appears to be Trump Jr.'s latest attempt to rehabilitate Rittenhouse, who last week was acquitted of all charges relating to the fatal shootings of Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber and injuring Gaige Grosskreutz during the Kenosha unrest.
Earlier this week, Trump Jr. suggested Rittenhouse was doing a good deed when he killed "serial pedophiles" like Rosenbaum—a mentally ill homeless man who at the time of his death, was on the Wisconsin sex offender registry for a case in Arizona.
Many have pushed back against Trump Jr.'s efforts.
The #partyoffamilyvalues praises murder. https://t.co/wRiFL8762R
— Heather Carey (@hjcarey) November 23, 2021
Trump Jr, just like his dad is a Neanderthal who appears to need attention from mental health experts. https://t.co/FmQtLM4bvL
— Jackie (@Jakye49) November 23, 2021
Fkg sick. This whole family is SICK. https://t.co/Oc0qVKiJCA
— 🔥💕Traitor Hater LOCK THEM UP 🔥💕 (@girlpower1321) November 23, 2021
OMG Junior couldn't even size the head right or align his neck with the collar. Amateur and sick both.
Only people who smugly believe they're not in danger like we normal Americans are would glorify a teenager murdering and maiming others. https://t.co/mXAXdwYPc8
— IronStar Quaint (@IronStarQuaint) November 23, 2021
Sad. Sick. Offensive as hell. https://t.co/xIVxgimRUp
— Witch Hunter (@ThirdChances) November 23, 2021
Facism will always award extremist facists https://t.co/GwGrQnzJeG
— Conservatives are Vile (@vilecinservtv) November 23, 2021
If you needed yet another reason to keep Republicans out of the WH, here's another good one 👇🏻 https://t.co/7K7OQkV51Z
— Dolly Madison ✌🏻 (@dollymad1812) November 22, 2021
From one psychopath to another. https://t.co/WbssLv8UJt
— Jane (@ladyoldandgray) November 22, 2021
Jesus Christ. This family is fucking vile. https://t.co/jFp9YzMzyJ
— The Marc and JD Podcast (@MarcAndJD) November 22, 2021
Rittenhouise has long courted the adoration of conservatives, including prominent Republicans who have offered him a wealth of opportunities following his acquittal.
Republican Representatives Madison Cawthorn (North Carolina), Paul Gosar (Arizona) and Matt Gaetz (Florida) have faced heavy criticism after indicating their offices would offer Rittenhouse a position as a congressional intern.
Gosar, in particular, said he would "arm wrestle" Gaetz to "get dibs for Rittenhouse as an intern" and suggested elsewhere Rittenhouse should be granted the congressional Medal of Honor.
Over the weekend, Mark Richards, a defense attorney for Rittenhouse, called Trump Jr. an "idiot" in response to a since-deleted tweet from Trump Jr. announcing Gun Owners of America—a gun rights organization—will award Rittenhouse an AR-15.
Richards said he doesn't "have to expand on that," adding Trump Jr.'s behavior "speaks for itself."
He went on to criticize the "disgusting" Republican Party for trying to cash in on Rittenhouse's notoriety,
