Kyle Rittenhouse is facing an avalanche of criticism after callously telling Native Americans to vacate the United States.
The controversy erupted when Rittenhouse, known for his deadly actions during a Black Lives Matter protest in 2020, responded to a viral photo depicting individuals protesting at Mount Rushmore with a caption condemning the nation’s history of land theft. His response? A blunt “Then leave.”
But this wasn’t just any group of individuals. They were Native Americans, the original inhabitants of the land upon which the United States was built. Rittenhouse’s callous remark struck a nerve, drawing swift condemnation from across social media.
Users slammed Rittenhouse for his ignorance, reminding him that these were not trespassers but the rightful heirs to the land, brutally displaced and marginalized throughout history. They pointed out the irony of a young man acquitted of violence now advocating for the eviction of those whose ancestors suffered violence and displacement.
“No, you leave,” one detractor replied to Rittenhouse. “This land was theirs before anyone else took a step on it. You’ll never understand that because you only think about yourself, your rifle, and your grift. You are a horrible human being.”
“I’m conservative but this is an L take,” another person wrote. “These aren’t illegal immigrants. These are natives who were here before we were. We treated the natives extremely unfairly.”
A user said: “This was their land before ours. Why don’t you leave?”
“You don’t get to tell natives to leave their ancestral homeland you [clown face emoji],” another commenter wrote.
Yet, amidst the backlash, some voices rose in support of Rittenhouse, echoing his sentiments and dismissing the deep-seated historical grievances of Indigenous peoples. But their voices only served to amplify the injustice of Rittenhouse’s words.
On supporter wrote: “There are two borders. Mexico and Canada. They don’t like America? PICK ONE AND LEAVE!”
The controversy reignites the ongoing struggle for Indigenous rights, with organizations like NDN Collective tirelessly advocating for the return of ancestral lands, including Mount Rushmore, to their rightful owners. Meanwhile, political figures like South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem use divisive rhetoric to stoke the flames of nationalism, further complicating efforts for reconciliation and justice.
Read more reactions below:
Then leave. https://t.co/rCL85JoZ4Z
— Kyle Rittenhouse (@ThisIsKyleR) May 19, 2024
They are natives. Perhaps you should leave
— Asif Ali (@asifbhandari) May 19, 2024
Hey, dipshit, it was THEIR land first
— 👣Jarett & 🐾Lilly vs EVERYTHING (@JLVsTW1) May 19, 2024
if you are not a Native American you should go back to yours as well…your name sounds polish or German
— Marcel pi ✨ (@Marcelpi3) May 19, 2024
This country was stolen you limp eggplant
— 😼 (@dutchessprim) May 19, 2024
You first murderer!
— Guitar Man Rick (@RickAmericus) May 19, 2024
NO AND KEEP CRYING! 😭 pic.twitter.com/OxawQrJmzp
— K (@AresK911) May 20, 2024
So they should leave their own land that was stolen from them?
— Dr Mariana Claire Marinovic 🏴🇮🇲 (@DrMarianaClaire) May 20, 2024
No, you leave. This land was theirs before anyone else took a step on it. You'll never understand that because you only think about yourself, your rifle, and your grift. You are a horrible human being.
— Red Hibiscus 🌺💙🌊 (@RedHibiscus23) May 19, 2024
