• Legend:
  JS = Jussie Smollett
  MAGA hats = people who wear them, Trump supporters
  
  
• On January 19, 2019, JS claimed he was a victim of a racist and homophobic attack in Chicago by a couple of MAGA hats. He claimed:
  • his attackers referenced MAGA
  • he was punched in the face
  • he had an unknown chemical substance poured on him
  • a rope was wrapped around his neck
  • he was on the phone to his manager at the time. However, when investigators wanted to confirm some details and asked for his phone, JS refused to turn it over.
  
  
• It turns out, the two white MAGA hats that "attacked" JS are the Osundairo brothers, who JS paid to stage the attack. Originally from Nigeria, they worked as Empire* extras, sometimes going to the gym with JS. A reporter tracked down footage showing the brothers buying materials, including the ski masks, that had allegedly been used by the two who attacked the actor. Items matching those purchased were found in a raid of their home.
  
  * Empire is a TV show that premiered on Disney and Hotstar in which JS appeared. He was eventually dropped from the series.
  
  
• Because of surveillance video, the Osundairo brothers were arrested on suspicion of assault, held for 48 hours, and let go without charges after talking to the police. Whatever they said was enough for investigators to say that they shifted their investigation to Smollett. To their credit, they came clean.
  
  
  • At trial, their testimony included that JS wanted the brothers to douse him with bleach, put a noose around his neck, gave them a $100 bill to buy the supplies and paid them with a $3,500 check.
    
    
    
  • A statement from their lawyer, Gloria Schmidt, says they have "tremendous regret over their involvement in this situation ... [and that] they understand how it has impacted people across the nation, particularly minority communities and especially those who have been victims of hate crimes themselves." They forgot to mention a more directly impacted group -- MAGAs falsely accused of a hate crime -- but that's okay. It's always Open Season on conservatives. No regret required.
  
  
• Police body cam footage with JS's face blurred. I point out,
  this picture reveals JS was still wearing the noose after he
  went to his apartment, called police and waited for them
  to arrive. Can anyone say: "Prop"?
  
  

• Almost a month after the alleged attack, JS was interviewed by Robin Roberts (ABC) which aired Feb 14, 2019. He had the nerve to tearfully describe his ordeal. Feel free to watch some of the 16-minute video . I have to admit, he's a very good actor but my reaction is one of anger. If I were Ms. Roberts, I'd be furious. I read she was hesitant to do the interview as JS's truthfulness was already coming into question. I'm sure she's now sorry she agreed. No one likes to be lied to and used to perpetuate a hoax.

 

Here are the two, white, racist, homophobic
MAGA hats that "attacked" Smollett.
Pop Quiz:  What's wrong with these pictures?




Two black guys wearing red hats to appear as white MAGA guys?
As a white, racist, MAGA guy myself, I'm offended by this blatant
cultural appropriation. JS could at least have had the decency to hire
two white guys to attack him -- but no. He picks these two.
JS is very good at acting. Casting? Not so much.

---

The AP Reported

 

False accusations of hate are also hate -- and must also "never be tolerated
in this country." Where is President Biden's tweet condemning JS for needlessly
fanning the flames of racism and homophobia?

No one should have to fear being associated with a
modern-day lynching because they wear a MAGA hat.
KH can take solace that "this hate" was confronted --
by a jury that found JS guilty of crying: "Wolf!"

 

 

I also prayed justice would be served. It was: JS has been
found guilty of a hate crime hoax. May we all commit to ending
hate crime hoaxes once & for all.

There's nothing like jumping to conclusions to make one look
like an idiot and have to eat her words. AOC got one thing right:
there was "no such thing" as a "racially charged" and "homophobic"
attack. It was all a lie. I also don't like "what is happening to our
country." I am more than fed up with the rise in hate crime hoaxes
-- and those who automatically believe them.

 

 

Final Thoughts

• The obvious question is: Why the hoax? For what it's worth, Wikipedia reports:
  • Chicago PD believe that Smollett staged the attack as a publicity stunt meant to further his career, as he was not satisfied with his salary.
  • The [Osundairo] brothers also said that Smollett came up with the idea to orchestrate the attack after the threatening letter he received did not generate as much attention as he had hope it would.
  • Police alleged that the actor intended to further his career by tying the incident to racism in the United States and President Trump, and that Smollett sent himself the threatening letter.
    
    CPD's investigative theory seems plausible if not probable.
  
  
• The AP reported the city of Chicago is suing JS for over $130 thousand to reimburse investigative costs. Police in Chicago have more than enough real crime to process. Imagine being the mother of a child murdered in Chicago only to have that investigation put on the back burner because resources were diverted to a bogus high profile case.
  
  
• JS has been found guilty of five counts associated with filing a false police report. Technically, Disorderly Conduct, a class 4 (least serious) felony. He could get jail time but I suspect he'll pay a fine and do community service as his penance -- a slap on the wrist. Hopefully, he's not done with being held accountable. He should be charged with perjury. My predictions in these matters are not very good but we shall see.
  
  
• How about this? Shouldn't making a false accusation of a hate crime -- be a hate crime? Those found guilty of filing false police reports should face the same charges and penalties as the charges they allege (Deut. 19:16-19). That would stop most of these hoaxes.