Rittenhouse Declares He Won't Support Trump Over Gun Rights Concerns in 2024 Election

Kyle Rittenhouse, the figure who became emblematic for many conservatives during his highly publicized trial, has publicly stated that he will not support Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential election due to concerns about gun rights. Rittenhouse, who is currently the outreach director for Texas Gun Rights, voiced his discontent on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, where he pointedly criticized the former president's approach to the Second Amendment. In his post, Rittenhouse expressed frustration with what he perceives as Trump's failure to fully commit to protecting gun ownership rights in the United States, attributing this to poor advice from his advisors. "If you cannot be completely un-compromisable on the Second Amendment, I will not vote for you," Rittenhouse declared. He emphasized the importance of having strong advocates for gun rights, warning that any compromise would lead to the erosion of these rights. Rittenhouse's criticism comes in the context of his earlier meeting with Trump shortly after being acquitted of all charges in November 2021, where the former president had praised him as a "fan." Since then, however, Rittenhouse has aligned himself with gun rights groups that have voiced skepticism about Trump's record on the issue. He shared a post from the leader of the National Association for Gun Rights, which criticized Trump for his past actions, including support for raising the minimum age for gun purchases and advocating for expanded background checks. The former president's stance on gun rights appears to be a significant aspect of his campaign strategy as he seeks the Republican nomination. Trump has made assurances to gun owners, claiming that "no-one will lay a finger on your firearms" should he return to office. He has also promised to swiftly dismantle what he deems as Biden-era attacks on gun rights in his first days back in the White House. With gun violence remaining a pressing issue in the U.S. — data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates nearly 49,000 fatalities from firearms-related injuries in 2021 — the topic of gun rights continues to be a polarizing force in American politics. Rittenhouse's public stance, alongside the criticisms from various gun rights organizations, may influence the dynamics of the Republican primary, particularly as candidates seek to rally support from their base on this contentious issue.