Gun-rights advocate Kyle Rittenhouse, who rose to national prominence after being acquitted in the August 2020 shooting deaths of two men during the Kenosha, Wisconsin, riots, reemerged on social media Wednesday with a personal announcement: he is now married.
“I’m back on social media, I’m back in the fight, and I’m here to stay,” the 22-year-old posted on X, sharing two photos of himself with his wife, Bella — one of which showed her holding an AR-style rifle.
“For a quick update, 6 months ago I made the best decision of my life and married my best friend,” he wrote. “@BellRittenhouse, I couldn’t be happier. I love you beautiful.”
His post concluded by indicating that he wasn’t quite finished making headlines.
“More big announcements coming soon...” Rittenhouse said.
The Pensacola News Journal reported that Bella Rittenhouse is 22 years old and from DeFuniak Springs, Florida. Her X profile describes her as a social media influencer.
Rittenhouse was acquitted on Nov. 19, 2021, on charges including homicide, attempted homicide, and reckless endangerment in connection with the Aug. 25, 2020, shootings that left Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, and Anthony Huber, 26, dead and Gaige Grosskreutz, 27, wounded.
As rioting ensued in Kenosha, following the police shooting of Jacob Blake, the then-17-year-old Rittenhouse said he traveled to the city with a semi-automatic rifle and medical kit to help protect local businesses. His legal team argued successfully that he acted in self-defense after being confronted and attacked.
Since being acquitted, the Illinois native has become an outspoken defender of the Second Amendment, frequently criticizing gun-control proposals, including “red flag” laws that allow authorities to temporarily confiscate firearms from individuals deemed a threat.
In a follow-up post on Wednesday, Rittenhouse reiterated his belief that the right to bear arms saved his life.
“I support the Second Amendment because without it, I might not be here today,” he wrote. “In 2020, when I was 17, I was put in a situation where violent criminals attacked me… I’m no hero. I had no choice but to defend my own life in that moment. I’m not in prison — and I’m alive — because the Founders recognized our God-given right to self-defense.”
He closed by urging supporters of gun rights to join him: “If you believe we must defend the Second Amendment with everything we’ve got, follow me.”
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.