Kyle Rittenhouse blasts LeBron James for mocking his breakdown in court

Kyle Rittenhouse has broken his silence over LeBron James after the basketballer mocked the teenager on social media during his trial.

Kyle Rittenhouse breaks silence over LeBron James’ jab

Kyle Rittenhouse, 18, told a news outlet in a recent interview, “F**k you, LeBron” after the basketball star mocked his tearful testimony on Twitter, suggesting that the emotional display was an act, the New York Post reports.

The teen was acquitted last month on all counts including homicide for using an AR-15-style rifle in self-defence to fatally shoot two men and wound another amid protests and riots in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in 2020. Mr Rittenhouse, then 17, was legally allowed to possess the weapon under Wisconsin law.

Stream more US news live & on demand with Flash, Australia’s biggest news streaming service. New to Flash? Try 14 days free now >

Kyle Rittenhouse “pissed off” with Lakers star LeBron James. Picture: Scott Olson/Getty Images/AFP.

He took the witness stand and sobbed as he recalled the night of the shooting, prompting the judge to call a recess.

The Los Angeles Laker fired off a snarky tweet on November 10. “What tears????? I didn’t see one. Man knock it off! That boy ate some lemon heads before walking into court,” James wrote in the message followed by three laughing-crying emojis and a clip of Mr Rittenhouse’s breakdown.

What tears????? I didn’t see one. Man knock it off! That boy ate some lemon heads before walking into court. 🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/LKwYssIUmD

— LeBron James (@KingJames) November 11, 2021

The teen told Blaze News in a brief interview published Tuesday that he used to admire James.

“I was a Lakers fan, too, before he said that,” Mr Rittenhouse told the news site.

“I was really pissed off when he said that because I liked LeBron. And then I’m like, you know, what, f**k you, LeBron.”

Despite the hurtful jab, Rittenhouse does not plan to sue the famous baller, Blaze reported.

Rittenhouse won’t pursue legal action against LeBron James, whose Twitter post generated nearly 270,000 likes. Picture: Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images/AFP.

The Rittenhouse trial polarised the nation. Many conservative politicians and celebrities lauded the verdict while many Democrats called the acquittal a failure of the criminal justice system.

President Joe Biden said in a statement: “While the verdict in Kenosha will leave many Americans feeling angry and concerned, myself included, we must acknowledge that the jury has spoken.”

The case became a rallying cry for champions of the Second Amendment and gun control activists.

This article originally appeared in the New York Post and has been reproduced with permission

Originally published as Kyle Rittenhouse blasts LeBron James for mocking his breakdown in court