On Jan. 29, 2019, Jussie Smollett claimed that he was attacked by two white men around 2 AM, with one of them, shouting racist slurs before the two assailants fractured Smollett’s rib, tied a rope around his neck, and poured bleach on him.
Smollett claimed the attackers yelled, “This is MAGA country,” a reference to President Donald Trump’s slogan, “Make America Great Again.”
politicians and celebrities initially publicly condemned the alleged attack and voiced their support for Smollett. But things soon started to fall apart piece by piece.
The Chicago Police Department started inquiring into this incident, facing a backlash from the general public but things turned out smirky when Smollett denied handing over his phone for investigation. Rumors broke out that Smollett’s case might not be entirely truthful. Soon after, the Chicago police had enough reasons to believe that Smollett made up claims that he was the target of a racist and homophobic attack and evidence against him was being presented to the jury.
Statement on #ChicagoPolice hate crime investigation. We are taking these allegations very seriously and encourage anyone with information to report anonymously to https://t.co/yYAqzcVIfupic.twitter.com/DxipALHXaz
— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) January 29, 2019
50 Cent is calling out Jussie Smollett for allegedly lying about his attack.
It’s 2019 people, things are a little different now. Commander Emanuel Gonzalez would say,if you see him shoot him on sight. pic.twitter.com/HMki92h3uI
— 50cent (@50cent) February 21, 2019
Reports have said they told cops Smollett paid Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo, who were reportedly seen with the masks earlier with Smollett, $3,500 to fake the incident in order to add fumes to the death threat he received through the mail earlier that failed to get enough attention.
Jussie Smollett is definitely paying the price for spreading fake news and this incident may rather be the start of a downward spiral of his career.
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