Kyle Rittenhouse Faces MAGA Backlash for Supporting Representative Thomas Massie

Kyle Rittenhouse has become a focal point of criticism from the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement after expressing his support for Representative Thomas Massie. Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, frequently criticizes President Donald Trump within the GOP. Rittenhouse, once celebrated by MAGA enthusiasts as a gun rights figure, was acquitted of charges in 2021 following the fatal shooting of two individuals and the wounding of another during a 2020 Black Lives Matter protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

On Friday, Rittenhouse voiced his support for Massie in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District race, stating on social media platform X, “Volunteering for the greatest congressman.” This endorsement has intensified divisions within the MAGA movement, already strained during Trump’s second term. Prominent MAGA voices like Tucker Carlson have distanced themselves over issues such as Trump’s foreign policies.

Several MAGA-aligned accounts have criticized Rittenhouse following his announcement. Vince Langman, a self-styled MAGA “deplorable,” remarked, “Wow! Kyle Rittenhouse turned out to be a complete douchebag, we should’ve left him to the liberal wolves in 2020!” The popular right-wing account Catturd reminded its followers, “Remember when I warned everyone about him and everybody threw a fit years ago.” YouTuber Joey Salads commented, “We made the wrong people famouse [sic].”

Rittenhouse Breaks With Trump Over Gun Rights

Rittenhouse had previously distanced himself from the MAGA movement in August 2024 by stating he would not support Trump’s presidential campaign due to Trump’s stance on the Second Amendment. This decision led to accusations of disloyalty from MAGA supporters. Earlier in the year, Rittenhouse criticized the Trump administration’s comments regarding protester Alex Pretti, who was shot during a Minneapolis demonstration.

Trump criticized Pretti for carrying a firearm to the protest, stating in The Wall Street Journal: “I don’t like any shooting… But I don’t like it when somebody goes into a protest and he’s got a very powerful, fully loaded gun with two magazines loaded up with bullets also.” Trump had previously described Rittenhouse’s actions during the Kenosha protests as self-defense, suggesting he likely would have been harmed otherwise.

Rittenhouse has opposed comparisons to Pretti, arguing that those drawing parallels aim to provoke anger. However, shortly after the incident, he took to social media to assert: “Carry everywhere. It is your right. #ShallNotBeInfringed.” He also responded to Trump’s remarks about the Sig Sauer P320 9mm pistol Pretti was carrying, sharing: “Trump just NUKED Sig…”

Trump and Massie’s Tumultuous Relationship

Trump and Representative Massie have had a contentious history. Their conflict began in March 2020 when Massie opposed a $2 trillion COVID-19 relief package. Trump condemned him as a “third rate Grandstander” and urged Republicans to expel him from the party. Despite this, Massie supported Trump’s campaign during the 2024 election, stating, “Donald Trump will put Americans first by securing our liberties at home and preventing needless wars abroad…”

Tensions resurfaced during Trump’s second term, leading to a split between Trump and notable MAGA supporters, including Candace Owens and former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene. Disagreements centered around Trump’s approach to the Epstein files, support for Israel, and military actions in Iran. Trump has endorsed Ed Gallrein for the Republican primary in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District, while Massie seeks reelection for an eighth term.