Kyle Rittenhouse Net Worth: Did the Kenosha Shooter Profit from His Acquittal and Notoriety?
The Kenosha murder trial is perhaps the most talked-about case in recent memory. At the center of it all was Kyle Rittenhouse, just 17 at the time, who fatally shot two men and wounded another during a racial injustice protest.
America was once again divided. To some, Kyle became a champion of gun rights and self-defense. To others, he was simply a trigger-happy teen.
Hero or villain, Kyle became an instant celebrity. And we all know what comes with fame—money! So, did Kyle profit from his infamy? Find out Kyle Rittenhouse’s net worth and what life has been like for him in the aftermath of the shooting.
What Is Kyle Rittenhouse’s Net Worth?
Image source: Google
Some online sources put Kyle’s net worth at $12 million. However, his lawyer contradicted this in late 2023 by saying that Kyle, in fact, was broke.
I totally get why people assume Kyle was suddenly a millionaire. After all, we saw headlines about the $2 million fundraiser for his defense.
Sure, it was a lot of cash. But remember, Kyle had five felony charges, and legal battles of this magnitude are anything but cheap.
Who Is Kyle Rittenhouse?
Kyle Rittenhouse is the central figure in the 2020 Kenosha shootings. Nowadays, he’s a passionate gun rights activist, public speaker, and poster boy for many conservative groups.
At just 17, Kyle traveled from his home in Antioch, Illinois to attend a Black Lives Matter protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, sparked by the police shooting of Jacob Blake. Armed with a semi-automatic rifle, he joined a group claiming to provide security for local businesses.
Amid the chaos, Kyle killed two men (Anthony Huber and Joseph Rosenbaum) and wounded a third (Gaige Grosskreutz). To recap, these were his charges:
Image source: Google
- First-degree intentional homicide
- First-degree reckless homicide
- Attempted first-degree intentional homicide
- Two counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety
The highly publicized trial that followed thrust him even further into the spotlight. (It also made him into an Internet meme.)
Kyle’s defense team argued he acted in self-defense, and in November 2021, a jury acquitted him of all charges.
How Does Kyle Rittenhouse Make Money Now?
Legal bills have a way of eating up funds pretty quickly. With pending civil lawsuits related to the shooting still looming, Kyle needs a steady source of income more than ever. His lawyer revealed he’s working a regular full-time job and living paycheck to paycheck.
Of course, Kyle has tried to leverage his newfound fame. To help cover his mounting legal expenses, he has asked his one million-plus followers on X (formerly Twitter) for donations.
In late 2023, Kyle released a tell-all book on Kindle titled “Acquitted.” Newsweek reported that it had been doing poorly shortly after its release. As of my last check, it has slipped even further down the Kindle store’s ranking.
Kyle has also stayed in the public eye through media appearances and speaking engagements. He has been on a campus tour to advocate for gun rights and encourage students to join the conservative movement.
Image source: Usatoday
His backer? Turning Point USA. The conservative organization is notorious for supporting controversial personalities like the Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes.
In October 2024, Kyle was set to appear as a “VIP guest” at a heavy metal concert in Florida. However, organizers removed him from the lineup after several bands dropped out of the show.
How Is Kyle Rittenhouse’s Family Doing?
Kyle’s high-profile case has turned his family’s life upside down—no doubt. The media attention and public scrutiny can be too much. So, how have they been holding up?
Kyle’s family has tried to keep a low profile since the trial. But it seems there’s no escaping the fallout. Some people are still convinced his mom, Wendy, either drove him to Kenosha or encouraged him to go.
Faith Rittenhouse, Kyle’s sister, shared she and her mother have struggled to obtain or hold down jobs due to their connection to Kyle. Because of this, they fell behind on rent and came dangerously close to being evicted.
Image source: Reuters
But Kyle has never reached out or offered help. So, in May 2024, Faith set up a GoFundMe to raise $3,000 in a desperate move to keep their home. So far, it has raised $7,395.
I can only imagine what it must be like to have your life completely upended by something that, in many ways, feels out of your control.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Old Is Kyle Rittenhouse?
Kyle Rittenhouse (born January 3, 2003) is now 22.
What Is Kyle Rittenhouse Doing Now?
Kyle is currently serving as outreach director for the Texas Gun Rights.
Is Kyle Rittenhouse Still Facing Legal Battles?
Even though Kyle Rittenhouse won his criminal cases in 2021, he’s still not in the clear. The families of Anthony Huber, Joseph Rosenbaum, and Gaige Grosskreutz are all suing him in civil court for unspecified damages.
So far, he’s managed to pull together $250,000 for his legal defense fund, but with civil lawsuits like these, that could be just the tip of the iceberg.
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Did Kyle Really Sue and Won a Defamation Case Against the View?
False! Kyle has already denied filing a lawsuit against the talk show. Also not true is Kyle walking away with a $22 million settlement.
The fake news story, which caught fire on Twitter, actually originated from a satire website, as per Reuter.
What Happened to the Donations Raised for Kyle Rittenhouse?
The donations, estimated at over $2 million, went to Kyle’s bail and legal expenses.
Wrapping Up
Fame can be deceptive. Just because someone is all over the news and showing up at big events doesn’t mean they’re rolling in money. Just look at Kyle Rittenhouse’s net worth.
Sure, his involvement in the Kenosha shooting gave him a certain kind of influence. People listen when he speaks. But it’s kind of ironic how someone can have thousands hanging on their every word while still lying awake at night worrying about bills and court dates.
Featured image source: Instagram
