Fox News host Tucker Carlson is standing by the waiting teenager accused of fatally shooting two people and injuring another during a Kenosha, Wisconsin, protest Tuesday night.
Court records show Kyle Rittenhouse, 17, suffered a first-degree premeditated homicide in Kenosha County after shooting protesters in protest of Jacob Blake’s police shooting. Under Wisconsin law, Rittenhouse would be charged as an adult.
On “Tucker Carlson Tonight” Wednesday, the talk show host appeared to justify Rittenhouse’s actions, saying it was understandable given violence and chaos in the city.
“We know why it happened. Kenosha disappeared into anarchy because the authorities left the people,” Carlson said. “The officials, from the governor up and down, refused to enforce the law. They stood back and watched as Kenosha burned. Are we really surprised that looting and arson led to murder?”
Kyle Rittenhouse: 17-year-old accused of Kenosha protests, considered himself militia, showed messages on social media
Carlson sent out graphic footage that appeared to depict the incident with Rittenhouse. He portrayed the youth as a victim who “tried to run away from the crowd,” adding that Rittenhouse’s actions could qualify as “self-defense.”
“How shocked are we that 17-year-olds with guns decided they had to keep order like no one else would?” Carlson said.
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Carlson’s comments were immediately condemned on social media.
Jon Favreau described Carlson as “rebellious” in a tweet from NSFW. Comedian Billy Eichner, Julie Klausner and Ike Barinholtz called for Carlson to be fired over his “dangerous” rhetoric. Many others agreed.
“What Tucker Carlson is doing now to foment chaos and murder by roaming gangs of armed guards absolutely asks Fox News to #FireTuckerCarlson,” @SethAbramson tweeted.
User @matthewamiller added: “Indescribably dangerous. Outrageous violence and murder. The lowest Fox has ever gone, though there is no reason to think they will not get worse.”
Others said Carlson’s statement “goes beyond racism” and points to a striking double standard he perpetuates in his talk show.
“An innocent black guy is murdered by police and Tucker Carlson calls him a thug,” tweeted CNN commentator Keith Boykins. “A guilty white man kills two people and Tucker Carlson calls him a patriot.”
Others drew attention to the scorching list of advertisers and threatened to boycott if they did not attract funding from Tucker Carlson Tonight. ‘
“You all just paid for Tucker Carlson to defend a killer on the air,” @BrianTylerCohen tweeted along with a list of Carlson’s advertisers. @YourFriendJax added: “Boycott any brand that advertises on the Tucker Carlson show. Simple and easy.”
Earlier Wednesday, Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY Network, that one victim was shot in the head late Tuesday, just before midnight, and another in the chest. Beth did not know where the other person was shot, but video posted on social media showed that someone had been shot in the arm.
Rittenhouse thought of himself as a militia member trying to protect life and property, according to videos, interviews and social media posts.
“People are getting injured and our job is to protect this business,” Rittenhouse said in one clip. “And my job is also to protect people. If someone is injured, I run into injury. That’s why I have my gun; I have to protect myself, of course. But I also have my med kit.”
Contributions: Gina Barton and Bruce Vielmetti; Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
