Stand up for the facts!
Our only agenda is to publish the truth so you can be an informed participant in democracy.
We need your help.
I would like to contribute
No, Kyle Rittenhouse didn’t sue Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg
If Your Time is short
- This claim originated on a self-described satire site. A spokesperson for the Rittenhouse family said it’s false.
Since Kyle Rittenhouse was acquitted of all criminal charges in the fatal 2020 shooting in Kenosha, Wis., some pundits have speculated that he has grounds to sue some news organizations for defamation. But a claim being shared on social media that he filed a lawsuit against two stars of the talk show "The View" isn’t accurate.
"Kyle Rittenhouse files a $60 million lawsuit against Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg," one such post said.
It was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.)
This claim originated on Potatriots Unite, a self-described satire site. The story with a headline saying the Rittenhouse sued Behar and Golberg is labeled as "Weird Hero Fetish Satire." The story quotes "the family's spokesman, Joe Barron," but the actual spokesperson for the Rittenhouse family, David Hancock, told the Associated Press that the claim isn’t true.
Featured Fact-check
"The Rittenhouse team, Kyle and the rest of his lawyers, have not filed any legal actions against any organizations or any person in particular," Hancock said.
Sign up for PolitiFact texts
We rate this post False.
Our Sources
Facebook post, Nov. 28, 2021
The New York Times, Kyle Rittenhouse Acquitted on All Counts, Nov. 19, 2021
Fox News, Kyle Rittenhouse could have a defamation lawsuit after media called him racist murderer: Legal experts, Nov. 23, 2021
Potatriots Unite, Rittenhouses file $60M defamation suit against Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg, visited Nov. 29, 2021
The Associated Press, Kyle Rittenhouse hasn’t sued Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar or CNN, Nov. 29, 2021
Browse the Truth-O-Meter
More by Ciara O'Rourke
No, Kyle Rittenhouse didn’t sue Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg
Support independent fact-checking.
Become a member!
In a world of wild talk and fake news, help us stand up for the facts.