🎙️ Voice is AI-generated. Inconsistencies may occur.
Turning Point USA founder and Newsweek columnist Charlie Kirk said Kyle Rittenhouse's acquittal was "a win for Biblical values" during an interview at his organization's "AmericaFest" conference.
Kirk made his remarks while speaking to Victory Channel, the Christian television network.
"We brought Kyle Rittenhouse to the front stage, that's a win," Kirk said. "It's a win for due process, it's a win for presumption of innocence—all Biblical values, by the way."
"Plenty of people were wrongfully accused all throughout the Bible, especially the Old Testament, including Jesus Christ himself," he continued.
"And so yes, there's lots of wins happening, and we need to celebrate that."
Charlie Kirk says he’s created “Turning Point Faith” and holds church services that do “missionary work” at his events.
— PatriotTakes ?? (@patriottakes) December 22, 2021
Kirk says this, and hosting Ted Cruz, Tucker Carlson, and offering audit updates, etc., “comes from a biblical framework.” pic.twitter.com/VXFXLQS2Ql
Rittenhouse, 18, achieved superstar status among conservatives following his acquittal of murder charges for killing two people at Black Lives Matter protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
In August 2020, then 17-year-old Rittenhouse shot dead 36-year-old Joseph Rosenbaum and 26-year-old Anthony Huber, in addition to wounding 27-year-old Gaige Grosskreutz. Throughout his polarizing case, right-wingers hailed Rittenhouse as a poster child for armed self-defense fuelled by love of country.
Rittenhouse's newfound fame was cemented by the rousing reception he received when taking the stage at "AmericaFest." His own theme song was blasted upon his entrance, followed by an adoring crowd chanting his name.
On the panel Rittenhouse participated in, Kirk named him a "hero to millions." Blaze TV journalist and co-panelist Elijah Schaffer stated: "Thank God for people like Kyle Rittenhouse being there" that night in Kenosha.
When asked by Kirk whether he had "plans to sue some media companies soon," a beaming Rittenhouse responded, "I don't know, Charlie, I don't know. But some accountability's coming, I'd be on the lookout."
"It's not only he didn't do anything wrong, he did everything right," Kirk said during the panel. "And we must say that, he did everything right that night, is that Kyle acted properly and morally and lawfully when someone tried to kill him."
"Kyle did the right thing, and he should be applauded for it," he continued to a standing ovation and chants of Rittenhouse's name.
However, not every "AmericaFest" attendee was as charmed. One right-wing journalist was ejected from the event after he confronted Rittenhouse for previously expressing support for Black Lives Matter.
"AmericaFest" brought together a number of prominent GOP figures, such as Congress members Marjorie Taylor-Greene, Lauren Boebert and Matt Gaetz, Fox News hosts Tucker Carlson, Jesse Watters and Jeanine Pirro, and other right-wing commentators.
Correction 12/22 4:00 p.m. ET: This story and headline have been corrected to more accurately reflect Charlie Kirk's remarks; he did not directly compare Rittenhouse to Jesus.
