Donald Trump Jr. was harshly criticized after he called Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse a "good samaritan" while blaming Democrats for the Waukesha Christmas parade car rampage.
Trump Jr. suggested 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, was doing a good deed when he killed "serial pedophiles" like Rosenbaum.
Trump Jr. went on to add that "serial offenders like the Waukesha attack terrorist get the benefit of the doubt" from Democrats, who, he said, want to put "Kyle Rittenhouse away for life."
In Joe Biden's/Democrat America serial pedophiles like Joseph Rosenbaum and other serial offenders like the Waukesha attack terrorist get the benefit of the doubt & are free to roam the streets while Dems want to throw 17 y/o good samaritans like Kyle Rittenhouse away for life.
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) November 22, 2021
It is true that Joseph Rosenbaum was a registered sex offender. At the time of his death, he was on the Wisconsin sex offender registry for a child molestation case in Arizona.
Rosenbaum faced 11 charges in the Arizona case, which were later amended under a plea deal. He spent most of his adult life in prison starting at age 18, was homeless for a time, and was released from the hospital on the day he was killed following a suicide attempt.
According to testimony, Rosenbaum had tried to get his bipolar medication prescription refilled but could not because the pharmacy was closed as a result of the unrest.
Judge Bruce Schroder, who oversaw Rittenhouse's trial, ruled that jurors could not be told about Rosenbaum's conviction on child molestation charges to avoid preconceived conclusions from jurors before they had heard all of the facts of the case.
There is no indication that Democrats had anything to do with the Waukesha crash. Trump Jr.'s statements are also misleading.
On the afternoon of November 21, an SUV driven by Darrell Brooks broke through barricades and drove through Waukesha's annual Christmas parade. Five people were killed and more than 48 others were injured according to Waukesha authorities.
Police Chief Daniel Thompson said the attack was not a terrorist event and it is believed that Brooks acted alone. Brooks was reportedly fleeing a domestic disturbance at the time of the crash.
Yesterday, authorities announced that Brooks would be charged with five counts of first-degree intentional homicide. More charges are possible.
Court records show that Brooks is a registered sex offender in Nevada and had an active arrest warrant in that state. He was released on bond this month after allegedly running over a woman with his car while she was walking through a gas station parking lot on November 2.
Trump Jr.'s statements have been widely condemned and several pointed out that his father, former President Donald Trump, has been accused of sexual assault by multiple women.
Attempts to deflect from Daddy, also a credibly accused sexual abuser for decades now. https://t.co/djsyG32uav
— Gabi (@Lark2rule) November 23, 2021
quit politicizing innocent death, you fucking low life conman https://t.co/7Su8PJXoiU
— will gagen (@WGagen) November 22, 2021
Is this idiot for real. Is this a parody account? Tell me it's fake, please. https://t.co/kZSzZmkmK3
— Lisa (@MissLisaDC) November 23, 2021
I think you mean your fathers association with Epstein and the pedophile ring that they were involved with. Not to mention your father lusting after your sister publicly. Disgusting. https://t.co/7cqglCtFY4
— Miles Robert Mills (@MilesMills11) November 23, 2021
You're extraordinarily naive. Probably because of the echo chamber you live in. #Rittenhouse #Waukesha https://t.co/1ij5OZpprp
— ApolloRising77 (@ApolloRising77) November 23, 2021
To show your ignorance, you blame Biden for Rosenbaum yet he was jailed in Arizona in 2002 for 10 years for molesting children. So, #OrangePumpkinJr, that was during George W. Bush term in office, NOT Joe Bidens. You keep showing your stupidity because you reek of ignorance. https://t.co/bt3KVaqNe7
— MeMyself (@clakor54) November 22, 2021
Kyle rittenhouse is literally given the benefit of the doubt and allowed to roam free. What the fuck else do you want? Need a babysitter to change his diapers on the go too? Fucking hell https://t.co/F4wuk9Weai
— fuit gombal (@kokomochiim) November 23, 2021
He just call a killer a “good samaritan". I have no word. #trumpjr https://t.co/aXWyoE256Z
— Huntsville Tribune (@HsvTribune) November 23, 2021
bro ur dad knows lots of pedophiles shut the fuck up https://t.co/m1W0aai5WE
— Not Important (@ChildishBriton) November 22, 2021
Trump Jr.'s statement marks the second time this week he's made headlines for inserting himself into the controversy surrounding Rittenhouse.
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, referring to separate announcements from Republican Representatives Madison Cawthorn (North Carolina), Paul Gosar (Arizona) and Matt Gaetz (Florida) indicating their offices would offer Rittenhouse a position as a congressional intern.
