On Saturday, Oscar-winning actress Reese Witherspoon offered her sage opinion of the not guilty verdict in the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse, tweeting, “Woke up this morning thinking about every mother/father/sister/brother/friend who has lost someone to senseless gun violence in America. And then ..there was no justice for their pain. This is a disgrace.”
Woke up this morning thinking about every mother/father/sister/brother/friend who has lost someone to senseless gun violence in America. And then ..there was no justice for their pain. This is a disgrace.
— Reese Witherspoon (@ReeseW) November 20, 2021
She continued, ‘No one should be able to purchase a semi-automatic weapon, cross state lines and kill 2 people and go free. In what world is this safe … for any of us?”
No one should be able to purchase a semi-automatic weapon, cross state lines and kill 2 people, wound another and go free. In what world is this safe … for any of us ?
— Reese Witherspoon (@ReeseW) November 20, 2021
Then she added, “And US representatives and judges who support this recklessness will not be receiving my vote. Ever.”
And US representatives and judges who support this recklessness will not be receiving my vote. Ever.
— Reese Witherspoon (@ReeseW) November 20, 2021
Witherspoon was blistered on social media:
Author and radio host Dana Loesch: “Did Legally Blonde here not at all watch the trial before ranting about it? He didn’t go to Kenosha, where his family lives and he works, armed and the only people killed were those who attacked and tried to kill him, which is why he was acquitted.”
Did Legally Blonde here not at all watch the trial before ranting about it? He didn’t go to Kenosha, where his family lives and he works, armed and the only people killed were those who attacked and tried to kill him, which is why he was acquitted. https://t.co/uJa4IAX0qz
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) November 22, 2021
Right Wing News Founder John Hawkins: “You have that backward. If people can attack you without provocation, chase you down the street, corner you, and put your life in danger while you aren’t allowed to fight back, that would make it unsafe for all of us. If rioters looking for victims feel more unsafe, good.”
You have that backward. If people can attack you without provocation, chase you down the street, corner you, and put your life in danger while you aren't allowed to fight back, that would make it unsafe for all of us. If rioters looking for victims feel more unsafe, good. https://t.co/YDsvfB1nmT
— John Hawkins (@johnhawkinsrwn) November 22, 2021
Actor Nick Searcy: “Hollywood has spoken: state lines are inviolable, but international borders mean nothing. Thanks, @ReeseW!”
Hollywood has spoken: state lines are inviolable, but international borders mean nothing. Thanks, @ReeseW! https://t.co/ogK8DBje9f
— Nick Searcy, INSURRECTIONAL FILM & TELEVISION STAR (@yesnicksearcy) November 21, 2021
Author Kurt Schlichter: “Don’t be a pedophile child rapist attacking a patriotic citizen and your bourgeois a** should be fine.”
Don't be a pedophile child rapist attacking a patriotic citizen and your bourgeois ass should be fine. https://t.co/QYBeVAzC8t
— Kurt Schlichter (@KurtSchlichter) November 21, 2021
Actor Matthew Marsden:“Not all actors are like this. I promise.”
Not all actors are like this. I promise. https://t.co/P9Xemxfkkh
— Matthew Marsden (@matthewdmarsden) November 22, 2021
As opposed to her public comments regarding Rittenhouse, Witherspoon was notably quite quiet after New York Attorney General Letitia James’ bombshell revelation last August that two Time’s Up leaders had consulted with former New York Cuomo on a letter undermining Lindsey Boylan’s claims that he touched her inappropriately and tried to kiss her.
Witherspoon had heavily promoted Time Up, telling Marie Claire magazine in 2018, “I’ve been working very hard on the initiative Time’s Up with more than 400 women in my industry. We are raising money for women in a variety of workplaces to have better resources for on-the-job-harassment lawsuits. We are trying to level the playing field for all women and men who have suffered from discrimination, harassment and abuse.”
But in the immediate days after James issued her pronouncement, Witherspoon said nothing publicly about the revelation.
In 2013, Witherspoon was arrested for disorderly conduct after her husband was stopped on suspicion of drunk driving. According to the Georgia Police incident report, Witherspoon said, “Do you know my name? You’re about to find out who I am…you’re about to be on national news,” the Independent reported.
Witherspoon later released a statement apologizing, saying, “I clearly had one drink too many and I am deeply embarrassed about the things I said.”