Rittenhouse ponders future

When he was acquitted of murder in shootings during unrest in Wisconsin, Kyle Rittenhouse went from star- ing at possible life behind bars to red-hot star of the right: an exclusive interview with Tucker Carlson and a visit with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago — capped by a photo of both men smiling and snapping a thumbs-up.

For Rittenhouse, a year of legal uncertainty has given way to uncertainty over what’s next. He told Carlson, in an appearance that spiked the host’s ratings by some 40 per cent, that he hoped to become a nurse or maybe even a lawyer. He planned to “lay low” but would for sure leave the Midwest.

Even as Rittenhouse figures out his next moves, fund- raising continues on his behalf, ostensibly to retire legal bills from his trial, but perhaps in recognition that he may face civil lawsuits over the shootings.

Rittenhouse has hinted he may bring defamation claims of his own, and could also seek possession of the $2 million (U.S.) in bail money that was raised by his supporters.

And some marketing experts say Rittenhouse — at least for a short while — may be able to leverage his story into lucrative paid appearances and even a book.

“I wouldn’t go near it on a number of levels,” Ric Bachrach, CEO of branding and marketing company Celebrity Focus, said. “But somebody out there is going to want to tell his story.”

“He could easily secure a seven-figure book contract,” said Andrew M. Stroth, a former talent agent and an attorney in Chicago with no ties to Rittenhouse. Rit- tenhouse, he said, “could monetize his brand and po- tentially make in the millions.”

Stroth estimated Rittenhouse could command a speaker’s fee on the lecture circuit of anywhere be- tween $2,500 and $25,000 a speech.

There’s also merchandise. “Free Kyle” T-shirts and other items that were sold online after the shootings were eventually dropped by the vendor after prosecu- tors criticized the sales. Acquittal might re-open that market.

In his interview with Fox News, Rittenhouse hinted that he was looking into possible libel lawsuits.

“I feel like my life has been extremely defamed,” he said, adding: “I have really good lawyers who are taking care of that right now.”

It’s not clear whether Rittenhouse has a strong libel case. The threshold for proving libel in the U.S. is far higher for figures in the public eye and those charged with crimes, even if they were later acquitted.