Kyle Rittenhouse’s family sells “Free Kyle” merchandise to raise funds for trial
So far, more than $59,000 has been raised through donations and merchandise sales.
The family of Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse is selling merchandise to help raise funds for his upcoming trial.
According to Insider, his family opened up a merch store to sell “Free Kyle”-branded bikinis, sports bras and crop tops. The prices ranged from $25-$43. According to Rittenhouse’s mother, her son’s legal fees will cost anywhere between $2 million and $2.5 million. He is currently facing multiple charges, including first-degree intentional homicide, for fatally shooting two protesters in Kenosha, Wisconsin following the police shooting of Jacob Blake.
“I alone control this website and Kyle’s Defense Fund,” wrote his mother, Wendy Rittenhouse. “Upon Kyle’s acquittal and return of the cash bail, Kyle wants to use remaining funds to help others fighting for their God-given right to defend themselves, their family and their community.”
Printful, the vendor of the merch, ended business with Rittenhouse’s family for violating its acceptable use policy. “We have chosen to discontinue our business relationship with this store in order to mitigate business risk,” the company said in a statement. “Ultimately, we don’t want to be affiliated with a store that’s involved in such a complex, controversial and ongoing case.”
The family has since moved to a different e-commerce platform for the website. The newer web store now includes T-shirts, beanies, mugs and hoodies. One of the models who was used on the website, says she did not give the family consent to use her likeness and she has reached out to them to have her image removed.
“I am an avid and passionate supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement and I’m in shock and disgust that my image and likeness is being used for this dishonorable cause,” the model told Insider.
More than $59,000 has been raised through donations and merchandise sales so far. Rittenhouse remains free on a $2 million bond.