Within minutes of Kyle Rittenhouse being declared not guilty on all counts in his murder trial in Kenosha, Wisconsin, social media was flooded with reactions.
The Rittenhouse verdict prompted strong responses from the Hollywood community, which by and large seemed to have expected the not guilty ruling.
“The Daily Show” took a comic approach, tweeting, “JUST IN: Judge Schroeder sentences Kyle Rittenhouse to come give him a big hug.”
“Acquitting Kyle Rittenhouse sends a message to future Kyle Rittenhouses that they’re free to incite violence and then claim self-defense. This is not justice,” read the tweet on “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” account.
“Star Trek” alum George Takei tweeted, “Justice denied is a body blow to our national psyche. On trial was not only a killer, but a system that continues to kill. Today that system defeated true justice, once again. But mark these words: We will never stop fighting for what is right and just.”
“Westworld” star Jeffrey Wright shared a meme of Russian President Vladmir Putin clapping.
Actor Patton Oswalt posted, “wanna be a supreme court justice wanna murder 2 people & not go to jail better 1) cut some onions 2) be white (MUSIC CUE: “Cherry Pie”).”
MSNBC host Joy Reid asked fans to think of the families of those who were killed, writing, “While we’re out reacting and processing the Rittenhouse verdict, please spare a thought for the families of Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber, who are mourning, and for Gaige Grosskreutz and Jacob Blake. There is nothing here but tragedy, and these families are in pain.”
Read on for more reactions: