Kyle Rittenhouse will reportedly sue Joe Biden for libel after he was featured in the presidential candidate’s ad about white supremacy.
After Tuesday (Sept. 29) night’s debate, Biden posted a video on his Twitter page which includes audio of Donald Trump’s failure to condemn white supremacists and militia groups. As moderator Chris Wallace’s mention of the violence in Kenosha, Wisconsin played in the background, the footage briefly shows an image of Rittenhouse.
“There’s no other way to put it: the President of the United States refused to disavow white supremacists on the debate stage last night,” Biden penned the caption.
One of Rittenhouse’s lawyers called for a “public retraction” of the video. “I…hereby demand that @JoeBiden immediately retract his false accusation that Kyle is a white supremacist & militia member responsible for violence in Kenosha,” attorney Lin Wood tweeted. “He falsely accused a 17-year old boy & prejudiced Kyle’s legal rights.” He also told Fox News that he plans to sue Biden for libel after he posted the ad.
Rittenhouse is accused of killing two protesters and wounding a third during a Jacob Blake demonstration. He is charged with first-degree intentional homicide and first-degree reckless homicide.
Rittenhouse’s attorneys have maintained their client’s innocence, claiming he was offering medical assistance to those who sustained injuries when he was “accosted by multiple rioters” and forced to defend himself.
Last Friday (Sept. 25), he appeared remotely for his extradition hearing, but the hearing was inconclusive. The judge said a decision will be made during Rittenhouse’s hearing on Oct. 9.
While he spends time behind bars, Rittenhouse has received an overwhelming amount of support from across the country. Recently, Christian crowdfunding site called GiveSendGo recently raised over $520,000 for the incarcerated teen. Rittenhouse previously thanked his fans “for the underlying support,” noting, “It’s been helpful.”