Unlike Sarah Palin, Kyle Rittenhouse isn't a "public figure" as per the standard of the notorious New York Times vs. Sullivan ruling.
The Covington High School kids were able to successfully sue CNN and the Wash Compost for liable, based upon the "public figure" rule. Hopefully Kyle Rittenhouse can do the same with Whoopi Goldberg and Cenk Uygur.
Several courts have held that you can become an “involuntary public figure” for purposes of Sullivan as the result of publicity, even though you did not want or invite the public attention.
He's busy making himself a public figure
Rittenhouse absolutely is a public figure.
Public figures also include individuals who have achieved pervasive fame or notoriety. A person can even become an “involuntary public figure” as the result of publicity, even though that person did not want or invite the public attention.
Read Gertz v. Welch, Time v. Hill and Dameron v. Washington Magazine.