Kyle Rittenhouse recently returned to the University of Memphis, where his appearance was marked by a smaller crowd and protests. According to Commercial Appeal, attendance was lower compared to the previous year, with chants of "killer on campus" still heard outside the event.

The event, organized by the University of Memphis chapter of Turning Point USA, took place amid increased security, as per the Action News 5 report. Rittenhouse discussed the Second Amendment and his 2021 trial.

Rittenhouse addressed claims from last year's event when he was allegedly forced off stage, stating on X, "No one forced me off stage. The event was scheduled for 30 minutes and I was on stage for 30 minutes," as noted in WREG report.

Students had mixed reactions to Rittenhouse’s presence. Spencer Morrow told WREG, "He’s really shared his experience on what happened. I think it was in Wisconsin. I think he’s said all we need to say about that. I know he comes from a more conservative viewpoint and that’s, you know, that’s fine. He’s allowed to have his opinion. I just think him being here, continuing to kind of beat a dead horse almost is, you know, it makes me wonder, like why we keep having the same guy back, especially since they’re like people with conservative viewpoints who maybe want to talk at this school and like, share their ideas." Jonathan Williams disagreed, stating, "Nothing he has to say can back up anything that he did because I think he is a murderer and he just got away with it."

The University of Memphis released a statement distancing itself from the event, saying, "The speaker has been invited by a registered student organization. This event is not sponsored by the University of Memphis," according to WREG. Some students raised concerns about the event’s exclusivity, with Jay Opp leaving early, feeling that TPUSA limited the number of people allowed into the venue.