Gun rights activist Kyle Rittenhouse apologized and reaffirmed his support for former President Donald Trump on Friday amid mounting pressure following his pledge that he would be writing in former Libertarian Texas Rep. Ron Paul in the 2024 presidential election over the former president
The 21-year-old made the initial decision because of Trump’s “bad” policies when it comes to protecting the Second Amendment, according to Rittenhouse.
“A lot of people are upset that I said I’m going to be writing in Ron Paul for president of the United States, and that is true. I will be writing in Ron Paul,” he said. “Unfortunately, Donald Trump had bad advisers, making him bad on the Second Amendment, and that is my issue.”
“If you cannot be completely uncompromisable on the Second Amendment, I will not vote for you, and I will write somebody else in,” Rittenhouse added. “We need champions for the Second Amendment or our rights will be eaten away and eroded each day. I support my decision, and I have no takebacks.”
Rittenhouse then performed a massive takeback Friday afternoon after hours of being slammed on social media.
“Over the past 12 hours, I’ve had a series of productive conversations with members of the Trump’s team and I am confident he will be the strong ally gun owners need to defend our Second Amendment rights,” he posted to X.
“My comments made last night were ill-informed and unproductive,” he continued. “I’m 100% behind Donald Trump and encourage every gun owner to join me in helping send him back to the White House.”
Conservatives blasted Rittenhouse’s support of Paul as a betrayal to Trump and a free vote for the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris.
“This is a WILD take. Do you not understand that by writing in a candidate you are giving a vote to Kamala? It is very clear she and Democrats wants to strip every American of their gun rights,” one conservative wrote in an X post. “You sound like a child throwing a temper tantrum because they aren’t getting their way.”
“Just unfollowed you. If not for MAGA, you would be rotting in a prison bending over for Bubba,” said another conservative commentator on X. “MAGA raised unbelievable sums of money for you. Trump welcome you into his home. This is how you thank him and the MAGA movement after all those years of support?”
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“@RonPaul wouldn’t even want you to do this. Shame you’re using your platform to encourage foolishness but fortunately most people realize you’re a new adult who has much to learn,” another user said. “Just because you know how to use a gun doesn’t mean you know how to use your vote.”
“This seems like a desperate attempt for attention,” another person posted on X.
