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Protests raged on in Kenosha, Wisconsin on Tuesday night after Jacob Blake was shot seven times in the back by police in front of his children.
The demonstrations turned deadly when 17 year old Kyle Rittenhouse, who'd driven across state lines to the epicenter of the protests, fired his assault weapon multiple times, killing two people and wounding a third.
Immediately after the murders, Rittenhouse approached police with his weapon, but was permitted by them to leave the scene. The following day, he was arrested at his home in Illinois after national outcry.
Details of Rittenhouse's actions are still emerging, but his social media posts indicate a strong support for law enforcement and President Donald Trump, as well as a proclivity for guns.
The night of Rittenhouse's arrest, far-right Fox News host Tucker Carlson appeared on television to defend him.
The video below contains graphic footage.
Tucker Carlson says that they don't have "more details" about the killings in Kenosha other than that the shooter was 17, killed two people, and possibly acted in self-defense, he then goes on to blame Kenosha leaders and protesters. pic.twitter.com/3845jvr3KE
— nikki mccann ramírez (@NikkiMcR) August 27, 2020
Carlson said:
"Are we really surprised that looting and arson accelerated to murder? How shocked are we that 17 year olds with rifles decided they had to maintain order when no one else would?"
People were alarmed that Carlson leapt to defend the murder of protesters, blaming them—instead of Rittenhouse—for the violence.
Some wanted him fired or for his advertisers to jump ship.
Tucker Carlson is a nazi. And he has a microphone. Please pull all advertising from him now. https://t.co/XRSGMfMPNY
— Michaela Watkins (@michaelaWat) August 27, 2020
Fox News needs to #FireTuckerCarlsonNow. He is inciting violence. https://t.co/Po9t1oI4AX
— Brian (@briandaly473) August 27, 2020
It's more than past time for the FCC to clamp down on this insanity https://t.co/ODjAEoH9Fo
— Jason (@longwall26) August 27, 2020
This is a morally reprehensible statement, the implications of which being both a threat to public safety and a complete disregard of civil liberties. @TuckerCarlson has proven himself to be dangerous with his current platform and should be removed. #FireTuckerCarlson https://t.co/8lsT06CmjQ
— Cici (@deadsnakeplant) August 27, 2020
Fox News needs to remove Tucker Carlson immediately. He is inciting murder to millions of viewers. #FireTuckerCarlson https://t.co/L9YcS9puBp
— Trent Capelli 🇨🇦 (@TrentCapelli) August 27, 2020
So your kids are gonna be murderers cause cops can't do their job? Fire them, fire this village idiot with a microphone TODAY. https://t.co/Atwy5cibnZ
— ZahraComedy (@ZahraComedy) August 27, 2020
They began calling Carlson a fascist.
Tucker Carlson is a fascist and anyone who is willing to work with him and the far-right are complicit with fascism https://t.co/i8UO2q30yB
— manny the anarchopenguin ⬛ (@solitudepenguin) August 27, 2020
Tucker Carlson is the face of Fascism in this country. The poster child, demanding law and order. https://t.co/RHCpKe8FOZ
— Donovan German (@dgermanuci) August 27, 2020
The first ten minutes of tonight's Tucker Carlson Tonight are the closest thing I think I've ever seen to pure, unfiltered fascism in American public life. Going out to the largest cable news audience ever.
— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) August 27, 2020
The Fox News network featured a litany of anchors and pundits who defended Rittenhouse's actions, including Jesse Watters, Greg Guttfeld, and Martha MacCallum.
Far-right provocateur Ann Coulter even expressed a desire to see Rittenhouse as President.
In case @AnnCoulter deletes it, here's the tweet. Please report this vile woman & her vile tweet. @jack & @twitter please help.
If these hateful people with large followings are allowed to continue to declare #OpenSeason on Black lives, on YOUR platform, more people will die. pic.twitter.com/ITfgxZZypz
— yvette nicole brown (@YNB) August 27, 2020