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Jussie Smollett Filed False Police Report, Orchestrated His Own "Attack"
February 16, 2019 by tamaratattles 298 Comments
Chicago Police are now reporting that their evidence indicates that Empire star, Jussie Smollett, orchestrated his own attack. Smollett filed a false police report stating that he was a victim of a hate crime while walking near his home. He claimed in the early morning hours, he was on the phone with his manager when two masked men attacked him, pour a bleachlike substance in his face, placed a noose around his neck and shouted pro-Trump, racist, homophobic slurs at him.
Many people doubted this attack from the initial description. I did not. I've been a fan of Jussie Smollet for years. I have watched his rise to fame. I've watched him on Empire. I have listened to his music. I've heard him talk lovingly about his large family in interviews. His middle name is Langston and he played Langston Hughes in the biopic about Thurgood Marshall a few years ago. He championed the NAACP. After coming out publicly rather late in life, he quickly began working with an LGBT charity.
Every single person that talks about Jussie Smollett says he is a loving wonderful guy. He was a pleasure to work with. He says about himself that he is focused on love.
So many major celebrities were supporting him after he claimed to be a victim. I just could not believe the people doubting this, Who would make this up? If Jussie Smollett were making this up, it would end his career. It goes against absolutely everything we believed him to be.
I'm not a superfan of anyone, but I had a very high regard for Jussie Smollett. Every interviewer loves him. I believe I just saw him on Live with Kelly & Ryan. They fawned over him in a way that was different. It was about him as a person before it was about his acting and singing.
I had trouble figuring out how to put up a new post just now. My mind is so occupied trying to come to terms with this situation. I know it is not about me, but it makes me question my own judgement of other people's motives. I already have deep trust issues. Things like this do not help that anxiety. It makes it harder to quiet the voices that say you can't trust ANYONE.
I was excited yesterday when the police said they had two suspects in the attacks yesterday. Finally, the doubters would be silenced. And then I heard they were Nigerian. I almost posted about it in comments of the original post yesterday. I didn't want to give the doubters a place to discuss it. Several times throughout the day I thought, "Wait two Nigerian guys were hurling epithets used against black people? Two Nigerian guys were yelling MAGA County (in a blue state)? I decided to wait because there must be some explanation. Because WHY WOULD Jussie Smollett DO THIS? WHAT WAS HIS MOTIVE? WHAT DID HE THINK HE WOULD GAIN?
I was quite upset when I heard of the attack. I am particularly sensitive to LGBT hate crimes. Adding in the lynching and the rope? It was very upsetting. I am more devastated that it appears to be a hoax.
I wonder if he can live with himself now. The damage he has done to the black community, the LGBT community and all victims who have the courage to file police reports is irreparable. I literally wonder if he has the ability to live with himself. If he will keep himself alive. His career is over. He will never work again. No one around him will trust him. His celebrity support will disappear. He will lose his role on Empire. Literally everything will be taken from him. As it should be. I never want to see his face again.
UPDATE 2/17 at 4:40 pm VIA TMZ
A grand jury will hear the Jussie Smollett case early next week … law enforcement sources tell TMZ.
Law enforcement sources connected to the investigation tell TMZ, the 2 brothers who were arrested and then released are staying somewhere around the Loop in downtown Chicago under the watchful eye of police so no one gets to them. We're told cops especially want to make sure Jussie does not contact the brothers.
We're told when police raided the home of the 2 brothers they found magazines with pages torn out, and authorities are now trying to determine if the missing pages are connected to the threatening letter that was sent to Jussie 8 days before the alleged attack.
Our sources say early on they asked Jussie if he'd sign complaints against the 2 men who attacked him and he was clear that he would. But, when he found out the 2 brothers were the ones in custody we're told he said he knew them, felt bad for them and declined to sign the complaints.
Our sources say although cops believe the brothers purchased the rope that was around Jussie's neck after the incident, there is no surveillance video at the hardware store because it erases after a week.
We're told the way they tracked the 2 brothers down was by their movements in arriving and leaving the scene around Jussie's apartment building. As we reported, they left in either a cab or an Uber, but we're told cops tracked the vehicle and the 2 brothers got out on their way home and into another vehicle. As one source put it, "It was almost like a bad spy movie."
The sources say there were red flags from the get-go. Cops were extremely suspiciouswhen Jussie took them out to the area where he said he was attacked and pointed to an obscure camera saying how happy he was that the attack was on video. Turns out the camera was pointing in the wrong direction. Cops thought it was weird he knew the location of that camera.
And, there's this. We're told investigators didn't believe the 2 alleged attackers screamed, "This is MAGA country," because, "Not a single Trump supporter watches 'Empire.'"
And, a few loose ends … we're told when cops picked up the 2 brothers at O'Hare Airport, police were armed with 3 warrants for each man, one of which was to seize their phones.
We're also told there is no video of a "rehearsal" of the attack in the street.
Jussie and his lawyer have vehemently denied the attack was staged, maintaining this was a hate crime.
Filed Under: Empire, Entertainment News, FOX Tagged With: Chicago, Chicago Police Department, Empire, False Police Report, Hate Crime, Hoax, Homophobia, Jussie Smollett, News, Racism
Gretch says
Sorry TT, we all believed. It's very, very sad and DOES shake faith in humanity 🙁
Warrior says
Wow! You posted this as I wrote my comment on the original post…
Yes, it totally did not jive with Chicago…a little too over the top with the MAGA hats, etc. I live here and it just didn't sound right.
Oh, and the Crafty Beaver store is for reals! (Where the rope was allegedly purchased). They have two stores — far north side and a close suburb. Maybe trying to fly under the radar…
Inexplicable!
Hi Warrior. I live there too and from the very beginning I knew it was sketchy. NOBODY goes under Lower Water or Wacker during the day without a prayer, a weapon or really fast moving vehicle much less at night. How he even thought he could pull this off is beyond me. This is Chicago, not some small town with one sheriff and a few deputies who would be gaga over his alleged "celebrity."
Stay warm Warrior.
Hi Gigi! Hope you are well. I just got back from a snowy park visit with my pup 🙂
One million percent…not happening in Chicago. We KNOW Chicago!
kete05 says
I 100% thought the same thing. No one goes down on lower water street at night unless they are a criminal or homeless. I wouldn't go down there during the day unless I was driving. The rest of it didn't jive with what I believed of Chicago. I believed him and it made me sick but there were always some little doubts about the story.
MelG says
I feel so gullible. I believed him. I've been a huge fan of his, have been a devoted "Empire" fan. I just can't believe he did this. I can't stand a liar. This is as bad as someone who falsely claims rape and ties up authorities' time on bogus claims while taking away police hours from legit victims.
I feel the same way. It just sucks.
I'm extremely disappointed. These hoaxes are what people remember and not the many women, gay and transgender people who are assaulted and murdered every day. We had a big hoax in the 80's in NY State, a young woman named Tawana Brawley claimed she was beaten, raped by four men who wrote horrible things on her body…It became a political spectacle and thereafter whenever someone made a similar allegation, it wasn't believed for many years
SarahK says
I knew something was fishy from the very beginning. Waaay too many holes and inconsistencies. But still, it's Jussie. He seems to have just a goodness about him. Like he could be your friend. He's done. He's ruined everything. He deserves to be fired. He needs to publicly apologize to the Chicago PD for wasting their time and money and to all of America. Why Jussie, we thought you were a good one.
I'm so heartbroken for him. He's in desperate need of something that only he knows. A cry like that doesn't come from boredom. Something bigger is going on and I hope the people who loves him will rally around him and help him. I truly hope everyone doesn't abandon him
It wont be his singing or acting he needs, he tossed those career choices, Hoping he was on a drug and alcohol bender or he had a bout of mental illness, that is about the only excuses the public might forgive.
He will now experience a side of life he only heard about,
Reminds me of "stupid is, how stupid does"
1sttimer says
I agree. I liked him. I loved the cooking show his family had a few years back. My husband said he hopes they prosecute. Your last paragraph describes my feelings perfectly. It seems most performers fear losing their career over everything else. His career is over. When he is alone feeling sorry for himself, he has no one else to blame. For many, guilt is worse than any external punishment society can impose. He created his own personal hell—now he will be there alone.
It doesn't make sense and one has to wonder if he suffered some sort of psychotic break? Too much pressure? I don't know but his life is virtually ruined and his trail of victims include all those who believed in him…friends, family and fans.
Katherine 2.0 says
Still trust your instincts, Tamara. I believed him, too. I am not sorry. We gave this man the benefit of the doubt until he was proven a liar. I would rather be that person.
I hope he can redeem himself and acknowledge the horrific damage he's done. So fucking dumb and unnecessary.
Sheila says
I believed every word he said to the point I was sparring on Facebook with non believers. I'm just so sad and disappointed.
Sheila there is no reason not to at this point. I love TT but she has NO facts and has been wrong before. Don't take this as gospel.
I only put my two cents here because I was checking on updates. When I say "sparring" it was with family members that never agree on a thing… absolutely nothing. As a family its ok to disgree and makeup….until something else happens that's when the next round starts 😀! Thanks Twilly.
Just because you don't want to accept the facts, Twilly doesn't mean they don't exist. The police are giving statements. The CBS Chicago station has done a through investigation of where things stand at this point.
Bury you head in the fucking sand if you would like BUT WE ALL HERE HAVE SEEN THE FACTS AS THEY STAND NOW.
RockCandiesMelted says
Look into the Illuminati and their agenda. Celebrities are their puppets, Jussie might have been forced. They want to divide us. They want the race war. They want left vs right. They are all on the same team so that we end up confused, divided, and at war. Then , they can come in the name of peace and love so that we will beg for their leadership.
Dear Lord. Where did you come from?
Amisteree says
LOL! This is priceless.
I wish they wanted us to get mental health care.
DebG says
Hi TT , I am a Trump supporter and I love Empire . I always liked Jussie , but something sounded off from the beginning! I can't understand why he would do this .
Ktina says
He LIED! His eyes were shifting back and fourth on his interviews. It made no freaking sense. MAGA country? Chicago? Telling the cops it was WHITE men? Disgusting!!! You"re DONE you jerk. No one will get within 10 feet of this guy. His career is over.
As my mother always say, "something in the milk aint clean". His story from the beginning was suspect. All of those businesses in the area and nothing caught on surveillance cameras. Come on now!! Really?
Nicolej117 says
Same. His story had way too many holes from the beginning. Now the truth is out. $3500 is a ridiculously small sum to sacrifice your entire career. Of course his friends flipped on him. I would have done the same facing jail time. I don't think his career is over though. He can come back from this. Americans have an awfully short memory for pain.
I was suspect at the beginning just because MAGA stuff was added to his initial account.
It didn't help that the result of such a "vicious" attack was a teeny scratch under his eye and absolutely no swelling or bruising despite his claim of being punched in the face.
What put me over the top was reading in various comments from science folks about the freezing point of bleach given it was during the polar vortex. Impossible.
Very sad, I can't imagine what motivated him to do this and how he got his manager to help. Wonder if he sent the threatening letters to himself also?
KB says
I didn't think one way or another until I saw that GMA interview. The things that he said to RR triggered so many questions for me. For instance…he said he couldn't see their faces "obviously" (his word) because they were both covered up because of the frigid weather. He was real smug about it too. Ok… so what was he wearing for the weather? Shouldn't he have been covered up for 2am, frigid, Chicago weather? Hmmm. If he was dressed for the weather, how was he recognized by a random Maga hat wearing stranger? Also, the tone of his voice while relaying what the "attackers" said as they were beating him. He was saying it like it was a "brother" who's was saying it. Not a white person. Like the "n" word with "ga" on the end, and not "ger". Finally, he was at a friends apartment that had no food in it. That's why he walked across the street to Subway. If it wasn't his area or place of residence, how would a random stranger know where to find him? Oh yeah… broken or bruised ribs with a tiny scratch, and you're performing a few days later.? He sunk himself really. Not the media, not the CPD.
Michelle Prinvale says
I'm one of the few who wondered if this was 100% truthful. It seemed to "staged" to me. Him going to the hospital with a noose around his neck is what made me doubtful.
Then I thought I'm being a cynical jerk. No one would make up a story like this one. And I'm not naive. I know hate exists. As do hate crimes.
However, when I heard 2 Nigerian Men were being questioned. Like you TT I wondered why they would use racial slurs and yell MAGA.
I feel sad for the people that supported Mr. Smollett. And all the victims of hate crimes who will be affected by his poor choice in judgement.
I'm very disturbed about Jussie's story. Why would he do this?
The thing that didn't sit right with me was his attackers were arrested in the airport returning from Nigeria where they went after the attack. I've worked with Nigerians and when they go home to Nigeria, they usually stay for a while because it's a long, expensive trip.
The other thing was surveillance tapes showed Jussie going into the place where he stays with the Subway sandwich still in his hand after the attack.
Siohban says
I didnt believe it but kept it my opinion to myself until now. Life screwed. Was it to drive the anti trump train? I don't know but its sad either way.
Kiss_My_Grits says
My only thought…poor Patti. She was a voice of reason amongst the rabid hate mongers. She tried to explain that something didn't quite add up. For that, she was ridiculed, had her comments shamed and blasted. Her IP address was pointed to as "evidence " of possible association in the perpetrating if this "crime". For her efforts, she was treated quite wrongly. I bet she's laughing from the wls. I'm laughing right now because you bought it hook line and sinker. The whole lie! He preyed upon your rose colored glasses and now you just look silly.
Yeah, TT, I love you, but you owe that lady a huge public apology.
I don't watch Empire, so I didn't really know him. It didn't make sense at all.
1) If I had money, no way would I walk to Subway in subzero weather. I can't imagine leaving the house.
2) The implications of a targeted attack ( carrying a noose and bleach ) who would be out in that weather? Why would they expect anyone to be outside?
After the vitriol patti endured, no way was I going to express my doubts.
Agree 10000%. But I bet no apology will happen. It was scary bullying. Stick to stuff you know and where your sources are.
KatieAlex says
This situation sounded staged from the get go. The attacks on fellow posters within the last Jussie post was nasty bullying. I've come to this site for over 10 years because I love Tamara's writing and I hate to see it moving in this direction. Patti, I hope you get an apology from those that blasted you.
Yeah yikes. The responses Patti endured were pretty awful… and then she was just saying what LOTS of people were thinking. This is why so many people just keep quiet on things.
Poor Patti
FUCK PATTI.
Exactly. She was working from same info we all had.
Tobaccorhoda says
Fizz says
I don't get why he would do this either. It just doesn't make any f'n sense. The brothers are going to try to sell their story now. I won't believe anything any of them say now. Is it wrong I'm still wishing the police don't have this right and they're out to get him? I liked him so much I'd feel better about corrupt police than him being this mentally ill. This sucks.
JoJoFLL says
Tjhis is as heartbreaking as the original story.
This has to be mental illness or a breakdown of some sort. Who in their right mind would do this???
Breakdown? Look up MK ultra.
I may be sent to WLS, but please know that I love TT and her site. Although I've been more absent lately due to realizing Hollywood is pure bullshit.
I will not trash Juissie until someone or something comes out to prove Jussie fabricated this mess. Honestly his story never sounded legit however Im not believing the two men questioned either. Jussie has never done anything flaky and I have been turned on with the truth. Of course the apologies came later, i did not accept. I can stand on this thin ice and wait until the proof comes out.
Stenbeck says
He's a piece of shit for doing this.
I say this as a hispanic, gay male.
Fuck you, Jussie Smollett.
At first I was downright heartbroken. Then the story kept changing, and it was hard to know if it was him or the media that kept changing the story, but it didn't add up. Obviously there's something not right in his soul for him to have done this, he's obviously very much loved and on a successful show. I hope he can deal with his issues and not let this destroy him.
Unfortunate distraction when we are the precipice of meaningful change
Sammi says
Lots of people passionately defended him, to the point of extreme in some cases. Going hard against anyone who voiced doubt in his story.
This is very sad, and will only do further damage to those that have already suffered by casting a shadow of doubt on anyone who comes forward to report something like this.
They need to prosecute him.
I too was a fan, and was heartbroken when the news of the attack first broke, but by day 2, I became skeptical…the details made no sense. I knew he was lying when he referred to himself as the "gay Tupac" (which I still don't get) after the post-attack concert. From there, I pretty much became obsessed with this story, because I knew he staged it. Fame is a helluva drug.
He ruined his career, life and tarnished his family's name in one fake phone call to the cops. He needs to face prosecution for what he's done…if for no other reason than to atone for the sin of smearing those who have truly been attached for being black, gay or both.
I kept my doubts until today to myself. I didn't want to be accused of supporting a bigoted, racist, Presidency. Like someone accused I believe it was Patti of in the previous post.
For the record I didn't vote for Trump. I'm not a racist or a bigot. There were just some things about Jussies story that didn't ring true to me.
Why I waited until as someone else put it "all the facts came out". Seeing people fight in the comments on the previous post. Getting focused on MAGA, Trump….
Hate/Hate crimes existed before MAGA/Trump. They will exist unfortunately after MAGA/Trump. We need to focus on how to stop HATE.
Lorelli says
I also had my doubts from the beginning but was afraid to voice it. Seems like there have been multiple occurances since Trump took office of similar stories than have proven to be concocted. I am not familiar with him or his work so I didn't have any feelings about him one way or another. This is just bizarre.
Could you please stop being so reasonable? We should all be like Dana, don't you agree?
Gah, a flame war. I'm too old for this but I'm also avoiding cleaning the dog's cone of shame, so there's that.
Sorry, everybody, for taking over down there.
SashaV says
Voting for Trump does not make one a racist or bigot either. Political hatred has so deeply seeped into every facet of life that intellectual curiosity has vanished. We are all HUMAN. LOVE ONE ANOTHER!
The reason I doubted it ever happened is that it was entirely based on ridiculous social stereotypes made against Trump supporters. Anyone who cares about truth knows that Trump and his supporters are not racists. That slanderous, dishonest accusation only indicts the slanderer as a dishonest bigot.
Blondiemelinda says
Thank you, SashaV and Dana. As someone who voted for Trump (and doesn't really like him), I can assure you I am neither racist nor a bigot. And I feel guilty i did not step in to support Patty. Because I know how others see Trump voters and didn't want to be put through what Patty endured. I apologize to Patty for not standing up for her. And to publicly doubt Jussie's story when it came out made the doubter an easy target. I'm ashamed.
Your shame over not supporting someone who came in guns blazing commenting after ever single person who was devastated over a horrific situation makes you a prime candidate to be a fucking right wing liberal snowflake. ARE YOU SURE YOU ARE IN THE RIGHT PARTY?
Spoken like a TRUE BIGOT, Tamara…
And that is why I didn't speak up with Patti. TT, I love your site and tea but you are a bully with those that don't agree with you.
Patti was a troll. There are plenty of people posting in these comments I don't agree with.
I RESERVE TO RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE TO ANYONE FOR ANY REASON ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE IGNORANT CUNTS.
I need to hang a sign somewhere…
nooshu says
Man, I was so horrified by the attack and am so sad that was made up. The whole thing is so ugly.
Mrs. Greenway says
TT, I'm an old lady and I had no idea who Jussie Smollet was. And the whole story stunk from minute one. The noose, the MAGA hats?? NO suspects on surveillance video in Downtown Chicago?? He is obviously an ill young man. I hope he gets the help he needs, but he should be made to pay for the time the police wasted investigating all this nonsense. Law-abiding citizens had less police support in Chicagoland because of him. Very sad to see a young life explode.
Well he was on his cell phone with his manager, so it will be interesting to see if his manager will stick by his side. He said he heard the who,e thing. If this incident is in fact made up and staged, then they both should be prosecuted. His manager was a part if it.
I love his music. I don't understand the whole incident. I know they stage things all the time for album drops,etc to draw attention, but I don't understand the reasoning behind this at all. This went too far. I bet his "manager" set the whole thing up. Unfortunately Jussie went along with it and will be the one that pays for it. What a waste of talent
Melizaaa says
Of course he will stick by his side. It was probably his idea
Mmmmmia says
We live in an era where reporting happens too quickly and is too extreme. I feel even suspicious of the reporting that he staged this. I just don't trust anything I read anymore. I would like to wait a while before I come to a conclusion. It's like the accuser of JD, who knows!
Venus says
I found his story suspect but kept my opinion to myself because (1).I still wanted to give Jussie the benefit of the doubt and (2) I didn't want the hate mob on the internet directed at *me* because I did still think *something* had happened to him, just not the way he described (true talk: I thought he had gotten beaten up in a drug deal gone bad and didn't want to admit it –actors & drugs usually go together). But once there was no surveillance footage of the attack I was pretty sure it was a hoax. It's my understanding that neighborhood is covered with cameras.
I've read some rumors that Jussie's character was being written off of Empire and this was an attempt by him to generate publicity/sympathy to get Fox to change their plans. Fox denied they were writing off his character but they would lie to protect a plot twist.
I don't know why anyone would do this. I expect he will be blaming mental illness or drugs and enter treatment to try to salvage some modicum of dignity and a career. He really does need help, imo.
Naike says
Apparently, his character Jamal was being written off on Empire?!?!
I'm truly sadden reading he fabricated the events of this story. Lee Daniels was outraged and made a video fully supporting him, and other cast mates spoke out in support of him; I can't imagine how they're feeling or thinking.
I am sort of hopeful once CPD speak with Jussie again re information they received from the Nigerian brothers things may look different for JS. 🤞
Yali says
I bet someone in his camp thought it was a bright idea and said camp has probably abandoned him already.
This is the exact reason why I don't post in defense of alleged victims until enough supporting evidence is corroborated.
This was a rush to judgement that hurts the credibility of all LGBT and victims of hate Crimes.
Kipper says
I did post in support of the alleged victim, Jussie. I did initially believe his statements and was truly saddened hearing about his experience. Life is hard enough, it's always sad and wrong when cruelty happens
randomly or on purpose. AND certainly in OUR Country!? The "right to pursue happiness" says it all, so I believed what Jussie alleged happened, happened. I believed him and was really crushed for him. I read posts re police, weather, all you voicing everything from blind support to ugly denial. I did have my doubts but I also truly believed Jussie and felt the truth would come on Jussie's side.
I am saddened to see the extreme opinions here created so much divisiveness. I am also very happy seeing persons with rational opinions voice their concerns, state their case and step aside. Say it once, we can all read, we all have minds and can understand the words of an opinion. Talk about beating a dead horse!
Here's my takeaway now and I may change my opinion (never a bad thing. I listen and try to pay attention!). I am very saddened that this beautiful, talented, very young man is somehow so hurt? Angry? Unheard? Maybe so disinfranchished that his voice will be heard now? IDK?! To be a part of this…sadly, a crime, I want to believe drugs, blah blah…but I do believe he's hurting in a way so dramatic that he acted out, with support I might add to make his sadness visible to all.
Ms. Charlie says
Kipper, I couldn't have said it better, I feel the same.
I never believed… the simplest explanation is usually the right one and 2 guys in Chi-Town with MAGA hats on… And just so happened to be a celeb they targeted. Didnt pass the smell test. We naturally believe what we want to believe that's why some ppl watching Rachael and some watch Fox news. Sad that we are letting politics fracture our country. And politicians on either side all corrupt bc power corrupts. I have been done with politics for a while after it skewing my internal compass a bit. This country elected a black president who I also voted for. Politics is a stage.. I don't get how so many ppl believed maybe if it was Texas…. But Chicago!
Heathbutts says
Your "Texas…but not Chicago" statement is just as racist as any other racist comment made.
I'm from Texas, and i don't know anyone who would commit a hate crime. I'm not saying that they aren't out there I'm simply saying that i know a lot of people from Texas and not a one of them would ever agree with bullying under any circumstance. I don't understand someone who can say racism is so wrong etc and then be racist in the very next sentence.
If Jussie has fabricated this story he is wrong wrong wrong, regardless of race, state, country, gender, it's just plain wrong.
XOXO says
Please stop. That wasn't racist.
Texas = red state
Chicago = blue state
Just to be totally annoying it would be
Chicago = blue city
And to be more annoying, if Chicago was its own state, IL would probably be red. The city and suburbs have the greatest population in the state and generally make the state blue despite the state being mostly country/agricultural.
MissCarlytx says
Heather, please leave Texas out of this story. Texas has no association with the Jussie Smollett situation whatsoever.
Amazing. This left wing jackass makes up a fake hate crime to indict Trump supporters and when the truth comes out, the reaction is not to apolgize to Trump supporters but to double down! WTF!?
Ironically, it happened in the same city where violent left wingers succeeded in shutting down a Trump rally due to violence during the election. 😵
Rabicate says
Your post is probably technically correct. IF the poster is liberal leaning then they are quite likely a democrat which makes them a member of a party whose mascot is a donkey.
Your dialogue though, namely "left wing jackass" suggests a more sinister and hate filled mentality too often associated with whatever political party touts foreigners as less than human. Go read your fake patriot, 84% incorrect information sites so your hatred and ignorance can swell exponentially.
Let me get this straight: 🤔 calling a hoaxster who maliciously and falsley accused Trump supporters of racism a "left wing jackass" "is sinister and hate filled mentality" but doing the crime is not? 😅
Alrighty now!
You are so filled with hate of those other than yourself you are only able to see the vitriol in those unlike yourself. Wallow in it, it's your nature.
"touts foreigners as less than human"
That is such BS. Wanting foreigners to come to this country legally does not mean anyone sees foreigners as less than human. Open your eyes.
Of course you hide behind the "legal" status making it ok for police in riot gear to tear away children from their mothers and put them in concentration camps for years on end. Why those babies might take that $1 an hour strawberry picking job you want someday. Or worse, our country might be swallowed up by Spanish speaking dishwashers, grave diggers or some other type of unwanted alien being who ends up receiving no better than slave trade work.
Wise up, this whole hate foreigners under the guise of only allowing legal ones in is no better than the Muslim scare around 9-11.
Of course we want them to become legal. Requiring a path to citizenship is always best. And, those who come here illegally are stopped all the time and sent back accordingly. But your extreme fear of a few marauding families is so over the top you don't get to keep blowing it up into full blown terrorism at our safely monitored borders.
Rabicate, while I appreciate your views on many things, your seeming desire for unsecured borders, and allowing one and all to enter this country is one of the reasons so many people voted for Trump/
" But your extreme fear of a few marauding families is so over the top you don't get to keep blowing it up into full blown terrorism at our safely monitored borders."
Trumps numbers and rhetoric or equally false. HOWEVER every first world country on the planet has strict border control, many including walls and serious human border patrols to protect their country. This is not rocket science. It is not "a few marauding families. The borders are not as "safely monitored" as you think. This is a basic tenet of every country in the world. Try moving to a foreign country or accidentally crossing the border INTO Mexico and see what happens. The democratic lackadaisical attitude about border control is one of a handful of reasons why Independents and Republicans voted for the whackadoodle we have in office now. Economy, border patrol, elimination of Obama can which insures that I cannot afford insurance because I live in a "red state" It's insane that out of all the stupid shit this government funds and all the money we send to other countries, and the amount of border security that our tax dollars go to to secure to ISRAELI borders cause such a fucking freakout here among democrats and some Republicans when we want money allocated to our own border security.
And yes, illegal immigrants should have never made it into the country and need to be deported. But now that we have over ten million of him here, it's kind of late to realize there is a problem.
Some were quick to believe, and are disappointed that it isn't true, because they hate Trump and MAGA.
And, no, they're not going to apologize for it. They are going to continue to look for something to support their hate.
That idiot Joy Behar said as much when asked why the media and libs were so quick to jump on the Covington boys story. She actually said, "It's because we hate Trump so much".
Trump Derangement Syndrome is a thing, people.
Heather, with all due respect, people like you are the source of the problem. Your post is replete with bigoted remarks and social stereotypes. Why would you accuse Texans of being racists without cause? You double down when you say:
"We naturally believe what we want to believe that's why some ppl watching Rachael and some watch Fox news."
You just told us that's exactly what you do with this remark. Show me a person who hates Fox News and I will show you a person who is susceptible to propaganda. You confirmed that with your bigoted comment about Texans.
Here's the thing- a MAGA hat doesn't make anyone a bad person. And just because this guy lied, it shouldn't tarnish the gay community. There is good and bad in every sector, socioeconomic status, race, culture, gender, religion, political leaning- we as a nation are stereotyping way too much. It goes BOTH ways.
The story never made sense. "This is MAGA country" in Chicago? Two hillbillies who are familiar enough with Empire to call this guy "empire faggot??" Not to mention two hillbillies even living in Chicago…I could barely imagine one. He seemed a gentle guy, so I'm disappointed that this is how the story turns out. This really will kill his career.
My hillbilly partner (from West Virginia) lived in Boston for 10 years. She voted for Trump and is a minority and immigrant. This is what I'm talking about- stereotyping.
These nonexistent figments were described as hillbillies wearing maga hats chanting about magaland in the media…why are you looking for a fight? Are you seriously getting offended that I stereotyped a pretend stereotype? I stand by my comment that the caricatures described by Jussie Smollet, had they existed in real life, were pretty bold to commit a hate crime like this in the middle of Chicago. And why on Earth would they Target or even know of someone as marginally famous as this guy?? Would the stereotyped hypothetical assailants be Empire followers?? Plenty of people's doubts were fueled by a similar logic…and they turned out to be correct.
I'm black and I knew this story was fake as hell from the beginning. I didn't know he was mentally unstable and orchestrated it but I just assumed it was drugs or love gone wrong. Hopefully this serves as a lesson for everyone to use their brain for five minutes before villifying half the country. It's gross the way Trump supporters are treated in the media. Democrats aren't winning any friends walking around crazy as shit with zero self awareness.
Agree with you, Nicole. the whole story was based on crazy social stereotypes. It smelled bad from the start.
"X group aren't winning any friends walking around crazy as shit with zero self awareness".
Not helpful either. This blame game on both parties part is getting us nowhere. How about we stop wearing what has become fear and loathing associated hats and T-shirt's on the part of either party so we can move on from the "us" versus "we" mentality. Pink hats included!
Ràbicate,
Oh yes, now that it's one of your "own" the blame game gets us nowhere. Since yesterday? Glad you've had an awakening.
I don't even know what "one of my own" means. My point is items like MAGA accessories or pink hats go a long way to bring out exclusivity and in certain venues even fear.
If you support that kind of separation of American values and heightened emotional and eventually physical barricades then I simply feel sorry for your short sightedness.
But there's still hope those of us who are more rational and less opinionated can avoid such symbols of my way or the highway thinking. Thank you for your understanding reply.
Simply pointing out that "hillbillies" can live anywhere; Trump supporters can live anywhere. Many people's lives defy the stereotypes others place on them. Many people use the word hillbillies as a perjorative- as if living in a different part of the country means someone is more enlightened, intelligent, etc. Or that anyone who voted for Trump is misogynistic or racist- without having a conversation as to why. People are much more nuanced than a charicature.
Iman says
@Kay, I couldn't agree more! We are stereotyping way to much and while we are all arguing with each other, the powers that be win. Let ALL show love & respect to one another period.
We are all humans in this world, let THAT be enough. Be respectful, show love ( especially when faced with hate)…
But it's ok to do this to Trump supporters? You act as if the gay community are the victims here. It was Trump supporters who were falsely accused with a slanderous lie. I would suggest your sympathy is grossly misplaced.
There are those who do not believe there are good and bad in every sector when it comes to MAGA. They talk about coming together and stopping the hate but the moment one person who supports MAGA does something wrong their knee jerk reaction is to condemn all of MAGA.
I agree- that's my point. Trump supporters are vilified not by anything they do as humans but simply because they voted a certain way for whatever reason. And also- how is it fair for the actions of one man who happens to be black and gay vilify the gay community or the black community? It shouldn't.
lo says
I was a doubter of this from the beginning. His story did not ring true to me. And I watched him when they showed clips of him speaking about the attack and I could immediately tell he was insincere. I guess I have a BS meter because I can 9 times out of 10 detect when people are lying.
Also, Chicago is not MAGA country. Everyone knows that! If you're going to lie, at least make your story somewhat believable.
Lately, I am making a conscious effort to take some time before having a knee jerk response to big stories because chances are pretty good that the stories will shake out differently. His own co star had an incident a few years ago in which she went on a HUGE rant that her son had been profiled and pulled over …fast forward and come to find out that Junior WAS justifiably pulled over. She apologized, but that barely got covered.
The worst thing about this incident is that it will cause doubt to be cast when something actually DOES happen. There is simply no excuse for what this guy has done. He should be charged, and should have to be responsible for all of the costs associated with his LIE, but since he is a "celebrity" I have a feeling that he will go to some country club re-use for something.
I liked Jussie before all this but his choice to target "MAGA country" people as the perpetrators of the attack made me realize he hates people like me. Why would I support someone who clearly holds nothing but contempt for me?
Jussie is still lying. They found the materials from the attack, bleach, the rope, they know the two Nigerians purchased the rope and which Ace Hardware they purchased them. They have their electronics and other evidence.
"As a victim of a hate crime who has cooperated with the police investigation, Jussie Smollett is angered and devastated by recent reports that the perpetrators are individuals he is familiar with," began a statement from Smollett attorneys Todd Pugh and Victor Henderson. "He has now been further victimized by claims attributed to these alleged perpetrators that Jussie played a role in his own attack. Nothing is further from the truth and anyone claiming otherwise is lying."
"One of these purported suspects was Jussie's personal trainer who he hired to ready him physically for a music video," the statement continued. "It is impossible to believe that this person could have played a role in the crime against Jussie or would falsely claim Jussie's complicity."
The Shadiest Grove says
Oh no. Jussie why?! Wtf man?! I'm through. Where are Lee Daniels and Oprah? I cannot take this. How fucking dare Jussie?! He has literally made it impossible for any person of colour who is also LGBTQ to report a crime against them. It is difficult enough as it is without his fuckshit. Damn.
therealdeb says
I was horrified at first but reserved saying anything because I've learned not to jump in the band wagon. The most unbelievable part was hillbillies say it was MAGA country. Fast forward and it kisses me off. It's like the fake rape claims and all, it makes true victims that much less likely to come forward. I do have to admit I've never even heard of this guy, only the show he is on. Just makes me crazy that he has leterally been caught and his buddies has confessed their parts and he is still lying and trying to save face. To what end? What is he now trying to accomplish? I don't get it.
JenRich02 says
So TT. I'm a regular commenter on your posts for many years that you said "by buh" too after my comments on the original Jussie post. I am a self admitted Trump supporter. That DOES NOT make me a bad person. It DOES NOT make me a racist or any of the other names Trump supporters have been referred to. Quite the opposite! People who know me KNOW that I am a very open minded and accepting person. More often than not, when it comes to politics, I feel that I am an outcast on your site even though I agree with most of your opinions in general. In this situation , I had the same feelings as I did the day Susan Smith said a black man stole her car and took her babies. It felt wrong! Immediately! And yet I was judged by my comments because they didn't mesh with the majority even though I was commenting based on actual Chicago PD reports as opposed to one sided political reports. I ask you to be open to all opinions and not shut people down because of your own political beliefs or even your own emotions The large majority of us are on the same page whether we be slightly left or slightly right, but if it smells like a rat..its's a rat!
Totally agree with you–could not have said it better myself.
I didn't believe Susan Smith or Jussie either.
I was going to make this comment to another person but decided to put it here instead. I agree with you completely. I am glad I missed all of the hoopla going on yesterday. This is in response to comments that Jussie has damaged honest reporting of hate crimes.
Jussie has not damaged the LGBTQ and black communities opportunities to be being believed . I am right leaning … I voted for Trump and will do so again in 2020. If this makes you hate me you might want to take a moment to reflect on yourself.
I am also pro-LGBTQ and not racist and there are many in the MAGA party who also are not racist and support the LGBTQ community. There are right wingers who we don't want associated with just like there are left wingers no one wants to be associate with.
My point — I see this as a Jussie problem and not something that should reflect on anyone but him. It is squarely his. I am a little unhappy with the MSM, celebrities, and anti-MAGA people for how the handled it.
The damage Jussie has done is not in believability but in what it has done to make it blatantly obvious how divided the left and right are. You are not paying attention if you are unaware of how hated MAGA is and Jussie did a lot to expose it.
Rmicu says
Same..if it doesn't make sense, it doesn't make sense. Facts are facts. I am do not assume a Trump supporter is racist nor do I assume all Democrats work on behalf of the poor. In fact, some democrats are downright insulting.
There was a Girl Scout theft of money story a couple of weeks ago. Reading it, the theft didn't make sense and it turned out the Girl Scout mom lied. She said she and the girls were robbed of cookie money when she left the money envelope on the table.
Human beings are human beings regardless to the label they place on themselves or others.
I didn't read the comments from the original post because I had nothing supportive to add. As someone with a little common sense, the story didn't add up and I didn't want to be a Debbie Downer in the comments.
NancyintheSmokies says
I woke up that morning having had a dream of 2 people (children? Wasn't clear) that were strapped in a back seat driven into the water. It was weird. Then the story broke. Sometimes I have "instincts" – "premonitions"? I KNEW she had done it. Completely forgot about that story!! This one makes me sick, literally. Tamara, don't stop believing in people. There are some of us good ones out there.
samael says
This is so overwhelming. Absolutely everyone on social media had this person's back. What could be going through this mans brain right now – no joke – he needs to be on suicide watch. There isn't one area of his life right now that is salvageable – are we going to wake up tomorrow to a billion exclusives from him and his lawyer – stating "this was JUST a misunderstanding".
The heavy feeling of disgust and anger are equal in me right now – in era of making every story/tweet about politics – this situation was explosive on social media. how can he explain this except with a 5150 (?)
I am curious how Robin Roberts is going to walk back her "exclusive" interview?
While I only saw a few segments of the interview (CBS news girl here), I am not certain that Robin Roberts will need to "walk back" anything. She did her job. Jussie preyed on her own areas of personal empathy. As with most of the fiasco, Jussie is at fault for the inaccuracies of the interview—unless there was something significant I missed that made Robin part of the deception.
The Robin Roberts comment is absurd. So many people here are outraged that people report news. Then news changes. Then they are somehow mad at the person reporting the news.
Robin got the interview and handled it very well. She has no idea that Jussie was acting through the entire interview.
He will be brought in and charged, Chicago police report, this kind of false crime can send a person to prison for 3 yrs. They knew something was up when his phone had all these deleted texts and calls, these two brothers are very reliable sources they say and they will explain their side and why they left town but for now they are just tired. Jussie was in no way losing his job that is legit, he has hired lawyers already. Its a terrible thing that he has done, what if these two brothers didn't have the proof and were charged with this crime and because he is a celebrity they probably would have been sent to prison for a very long time considering everything he said they had done to him. So very sad, you can't just assume things anymore, but you also can't let anyone get away with this. TT have faith, don't lose it, there will be someone else who deserves your trust and you will be there for them, and it will pay off.
Oh my God?! No Jussie, not Jussie. I have followed his career for years from the Patrik Ian-Polk film to Empire. I have always rooted for him and championed Jussie. What is the evidence against him? I need a breakdown because I just cannot believe it. Not Jussie y'all. Sweet Jesus, does he not know the damage this will do not only to him but his family, friends, colleagues, Black community and LGBTQ community. I'm sick.
Sometimes, Shady Grove, you get your comments just right. Thanks for this comment that represents what many of us are feeling while everyone seems to have gone into flame war mode. It's a sad time in this country.
TT I have no words. What is going on? I can't lie, I'm still in shock. I really am. Of all people, Jussie Smollett is one of the last I would have seen this coming from. Wow.
Lee Harris says
He might be guilty, but why ruin his reputation & career? If this is true, I bet Lee Daniels is involved. On the side of the coin, what if the police are lying and got the dudes to lie thru coercion to cover up MAGA hate? IJS
Lee Harris, you might be on to something. If Lee Daniels had something to do with this, Empire is over as well. The ratings have been slipping for his show and he may have put Jussie up to it. So very sad!
And possibly Kamala Harris who Jussie is friends with and was at her rally when she announced she was running. She has also been trying to get an 'Anti Lynching" bill passed to help in her presidential bid. Notice she tweeted immediately about it being a "modern day lynching".
I can't I imagine Jussie and the two Nigerians acted alone!
Please. Kamala is collateral damage from people like you who will start conspiracy theories about all of his friends.
I was raised in Chicago and while I know we do have issues with race…the story of how this attack was carried out just never jived with how things like this go down in my city…I was hoping though that I was being too cynical and heartbroken to be right. I hate this because there are legitimate hate crimes that happen that will be tainted by this.
It boggles my mind how he thought he would get something like this past the Chicago PD. This is a police department in a major metropolitan city – they weren't going to be easily fooled. And for the mere fact this was so high profile and the Chicago PD doesn't exactly have the best reputation when dealing with race issues – they were going to have solve this one and do it right to avoid criticism/backlash.
This is just horrible on so many levels – I hope he get prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Preach! Same feelings as a Chicagoan. No way this happened.
Et says
I had never heard of Jussie before this incident, but when I first heard this story, it just sounded off. If he would have left out the MAGA support, noose and bleach. I might have believed it. It was just too much plus he was still able to come home with the sandwich. I wonder if any celebrity or news outlet will retract their stories or make new statements. Jussie should be charged for falsifying (sp) a hate crime.
Oddly Google News Has nothing about Jussie on their news pages.Google News search only pulls up CNN from today, which I guess is Sunday. Sigh. j
Tamara, being a conservative, and also not trusting anyone, it seems that many damaging stories for the left are buried in the google search engine.
Yeah. That's not how search engines work.
It is absolutely how it works, Katherine. The news section of Google is highly edited in a pro liberal democrat way.
Facebook is the same way. Your news is filtered based on what they would like you to read. That is why it is important to get your news from multiple sources including news services outside of this country.
As I am typing this CNN is reporting on more Russian sponsored ProTrump ads are on Facebook. It's all about who pays for what news to be targeted to whom. The Russian propoganda is target toward liberals to attempt to change their minds about Trump. And it works.
Watch the Senate hearings on Google, Tamara.
Just stop. 90% of the media is owned by right wingers.
Seems like they won't have any trouble getting video of Jussie going to buy the rope with the two brothers . Le sigh. How stupid this whole thing is.
CHICAGO (CBS) — Jussie Smollett paid two brothers to stage an attack against him, directed them to buy items used in the alleged assault and actually rehearsed it with them, sources say.
Sources say at least one of the brothers bought the rope used in the incident at Smollett's request. The sources also say the "Empire" actor paid for the rope, which was purchased at the Crafty Beaver Hardware Store in the Ravenswood neighborhood the weekend of Jan. 25.
The brothers, who were questioned by police this week before being released, were paid $3,500 before leaving for Nigeria and were promised an additional $500 upon their return.
They left for Nigeria later in the day on Jan. 29, after the attack.
Sources said one of the brothers held the rope and poured bleach while the other wore a plain red hat and yelled slurs at Smollett.
The sources say the red hat was bought at an Uptown beauty supply store and that the attack was supposed to happen before Jan. 29. The brothers told detectives the three men rehearsed the attack days prior to it happening.
Smollett claims two men attacked him in Streeterville early Jan. 29 as he was heading to his apartment. He said they yelled racial and homophobic slurs at him, poured a chemical on him and put a rope around his neck.
RELATED What You Need To Know About The Jussie Smollett Investigation | Potential Evidence Found Amid Investigation Into Jussie Smollett's Attack | 'Empire' Actor Jussie Smollett Orchestrated Attack, Source Says
The brothers are now cooperating with police.
Since being released Friday night, the brothers have been staying in an undisclosed location.
Chicago police spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said:
"We can confirm that the information received from the individuals questioned by police earlier in the Empire case has in fact shifted the trajectory of the investigation. We've reached out to the Empire cast member's attorney to request a follow-up interview."
Police raided the the brothers' home on Wednesday, the same day police met them at O'Hare International Airport, as they were returning from Nigeria.
The two were in custody at Area Central detective headquarters since Wednesday night, before they were released on Friday evening.
Police at one point had placed them under arrest and referred to them as suspects in the case. Then, after interviews on Friday, they were released.
Pictures from the raid show the front door busted off its frame, items thrown across the living room, bedroom doors damaged and clothes tossed everywhere.
Police left behind an inventory list. Some of the items seized include a black face mask hat, an Empire script, phone, receipts, a red hat and bleach.
CBS 2's Brad Edwards reported Thursday that a source with intimate knowledge of the investigation said investigators believe Jussie Smollett "potentially staged the attack."
Oh Jussie why?! I'm so done, I just cannot. It is too early in the year for this. I'm praying for Jussie but something's on. In all my days, I would have never attached him to something like this. I just don't get it. The thirst of it all makes me sick.
When I was in high school I was very active in my church. I was in many church groups including the church choir. We had a fantastic pastor who was both great at giving sermons and supporting the youth group activities.
One day I was in the living with my parents reading the local newspaper. (this was something people did before the Internet in order to be informed about the world) it was there I read that my pastor had been arrested for child molestation. While we were trying to work all of that out, our Choir director resigned and the youth quickly found out that he had been soliciting sex from men in a park know for gay hookups.
That is when I stopped going to church and lost my faith in organized religion. It was already sort of a gossipy judgmental mess of people trying to flash the most expensive things and clothes around.
While this situation pales in comparison, it is a big reminder that you also should not have faith in humanity. Based both on Jussie's actions and the comments of many of the commenters here, It's quite depressing.
Tamara, you know I adore you and I have to tell you I also am not into organized religion. I am Christian so to speak but I am not a believer in organized religion for several reasons. I also believe everyone's personal walk with god is their own and it is nobody else's business. That being said my son is on track to become a youth pastor in the Presbyterian faith, I support him I. This as it's his choice. We have a certain church here in town that is "the church" to be a member of, Most of their members act like they are better than the other denominations in the area. Here's the thing, they have had several senior pastors and also youth pastors have to resign due to extra marital affairs. They do very little service work and their youth group is manly kids born into the Church. Churches like that one are pretty much why I eschew organized religion. Loves to you TT.
TT I am so sad. This is all too much. I cannot for the life of me understand why Jussie would do this.
Well, the good news is the more often you are deeply disappointed in humanity the faster you snapback from it. If nothing else this dumpster fire of post should build up your resistance to being surprised by human behavior.
I mean that is something…
Why do I still have faith in humanity? I've had shit done to me that would curl your hair. Ex-husband tried to kill me (literally) etc etc etc. I hope you don't give up on ALL humanity but I understand your disappointment and I lost my faith in organized religion in a similar manner. Terry always warned me not to believe in people so much but I always do. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. I'm confused. But we love you T!! ❤️
Old Jane says
There were way too many holes in the story from the start. At 2 a.m., in below zero weather, he's attacked but manages to save his sandwich. The attackers are also wandering around with rope and bleach in the middle of the night. They spot him and know he's gay….
I thought it was a hookup gone wrong.
Shame on him.
Patti got reamed and she was relatively even handed in what she was saying – wait for more evidence.
I like a lot of the commenters here and often agree with what they have to say. I don't understand why the justice warriors can't see they are just as bad for the public dialog as the hard core Trump followers that refuse to listen to any reason. Yes, I know, not all of them. Not all of anyone. That's the problem. Rushing to judgment. Taking a corner and "sparring" on Facebook. Come on. Stop it.
I am not a Trump fan, but it is clear what happened here and in fact it did sort of stink from the beginning. What an easy target for him to hit, ya know?
This is fucked up and phone-driven and facts have gone right out the window. Unbelievably sad. I'm sick of this shit. And that goes for BOTH SIDES. It's an issue in my own house right now. No one listens to me, ha ha. It's disheartening and makes me wonder how the future will look back on this time.
Oh, and this is how you hand another term to Trump. Just like last time, his haters are doing it for him.
God, can we cut the shit already?
Yep. He doesn't even need to campaign. The media is doing it for him. People are sick to death of this divisive bullshit and clearly it's on BOTH SIDES.
3,500 upfront and 500$? A plane ticket to the Continent cost 2,000$ sounds like everyone was desperate. 🤦
The reports on this entire fiasco has gone from bad to worst. My hopes for a better out come are dashed. 😒😢🛌
I smelled a rat early on because the whole so-called "lynching" was based on liberal social stereotypes about Trump supporters being violent, racist haters. That image is a dishonest a social stereotype concocted by left wing lunatics. I guess if you are dumb enough to believe that stereotype, you would uncritically believe this hoax.
The irony in this post is strong. Dana, you don't cry about being called a wing nut and then point out the wing nuts that aren't you. Don't pull the dumb card then parrot what your "side" is saying. You feel me?
Fuck, people. WAKE UP. We are doing this to ourselves.
There was a bill on the table authored by 2 potential presidential candidates, so the word choice was no accident, it's very likely. They are doing themselves no favors. Doesn't make it ok for you to be an asshole lumping everyone you don't agree with into one box,, either.
There is no irony in the truth, though. Sounds like the truth hurts.
You do this all day, don't you? Maybe step away from the phone.
I stayed quiet on this. I don't like what happened in these very comment sections. I bet we agree on that.
I bet we agree that only a hypocrite says….
[Sam] "Oh, you're retarded. Have fun!"
…just after they have said they don't like what happens in the comment section… 🤨
Well, the truth hurts, I know.
Another shining example of hypocrisy, Sam:
"You saw a response and went full on Facebook retard. I can't help that.'
#disappointed
I get you can't answer the question, Sam, but calling people "retards" because you don't like being challenged is not cool. Not cool…..
You have a question? I agreed with you on this. You can't accept it. It's fascinating.
What I don't agree with is your gloating at the left wing idiots you hate. Irony is lost on you.
Just a reminder that Chicago was the town where MAGA supporters were subjected to such hellish violence that candidate Trump had to cancel his rally for their safety. Jussie deliberately tried to amp up racial division and too many bought into it.
Hatred coupled with uncritical thinking = belief in social stereotypes
That thing? You're doing it without a trace of self-awareness.
Please stop doing what you're accusing of others. You were right. Now let's rub everyone's nose in it!
Wow, if that's not projection I don't know what is. Your issue is with the truth. You can't refute a word I said. The shoe fits and you know it.
Did you read any posts besides your own? I bet every dime I have the answer is no.
Scroll up. Like my husband, you have problems accepting words that agree with you.
Just be honest, did you uncritically believe Jussie's lynching story? You did, didn't you?
You didn't read my post, did you? YOU ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM, DANA.
I said I didn't believe it. Open your fucking eyes.
This is why my own house is the ninth ring of hell right now. Why do I torture myself???
Show me where the "social stereotype" is in this factual statement, Sam:
"Just a reminder that Chicago was the town where MAGA supporters were subjected to such hellish violence that candidate Trump had to cancel his rally for their safety. "
Hun, that is not a claim of a stereotype but a factual statement. It's obvious, you just want to shut down any truthful statements. Your issue is with the truth and I suspect you are one of those who uncritically accepted Jussie's lynching story.
Oh, you're retarded. Have fun!
So you can't answer the question?
She's going to tell you to stop changing your email address, stereotype.
It makes me sad you refuse to read my words. It's sort of personal for me, not that you'd give a shit. I don't want to shut anyone down. You saw a response and went full on Facebook retard. I can't help that.
I also don't understand the words you strung together last.
Retarded? Not cool.
exactly Dana!
Can this bitch Dana be blocked? She can't even handle when people agree with her, the unhinged mind is not attractive.
I'm pretty sure I banned her hours ago. She just posted a million comments spouting the same bullshit to different people so it is unfortunately spread throughout and I don't have time to wormhole her.
What is up with her??
She's a rabid Trump supporter, that's what up with her.
Harlan says
I'm a gay, older man who lives alone in an urban area. I'm out on the streets every day/night to run errands, etc. I do not view myself as a victim and refuse to think that way about myself. I do have to be careful and look over my shoulder for potential trouble when I'm out.
This whole story is heartbreaking, from beginning to now. It hurts me to think about others who will be beaten up or attacked who will have a more difficult time being believed by police when they report a crime.
I don't think Trump supporters are evil. No class of people is inherently evil. We should try to talk to each other for real to truly understand each other's viewpoints and where we're coming from. Sending out a mean tweet or FB post is not a meaningful conversation that will help us understand and appreciate each other.
I still think there are facts to come out in this case. We should avoid convicting Jussie immediately, just as we should have waited for more facts to come out when the story was first reported. Even if these latest revelations turn out to be true, a sincere public apology, community service, and some financial restitution for the CPD resources spent would be good enough for me. I'd love to see Jussie sit down and meet (NOT ON CAMERA) with Nick Sandmann or some of the Covington kids. Maybe they could learn a little about each other if they really had a chance to talk.
It may be enough for you Harlan, but I want to see him prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I'm not sure what the Parkland kids have to do with this.
Not the Parkland kids, the Covington kids. You know, the ones accused I ruthlessly attacking the fine upstanding Vietnam vet (stolen valor)Native American gentleman in DC during the March for life.
naa says
(sorry, that's all I have right now.)
It seems that all you need to make certain people believe any insane story you're selling is a MAGA hat. It worked in this case just as it worked for the Catholic school boys accused Of harassing that nice Native American man during the DC Right to Life March.
It's disgusting and it's lib inspired and media driven. What I'm currently witnessing everywhere almost makes me wish I had voted for Trump. This kind of bullshit is how he won you know?
So agree. We are seeing brazen bigotry on display. Bigots accept these dumb stories uncritically because it plays to their stupid social stereotypes.
Hoping the people who uncritically accepted these stories will check their own bigotry and learn their lesson. They owe a great apology to the millions of Trump supporters in this country.
TT, I just came here to give you props for posting this update. I was going to comment on the original post and ask if you were going to update since you were so strongly convinced the story was true and you had some pretty harsh words for Trump supporters which I am. You did the right thing. Thank you.
My harsh words were not for Trump supporters. They were for assholes. Assholes are members of every party.
This is EXACTLY the crux of the problem. Explained by TT above!! Succinctly.
ZenTrying says
I too believed Jussie.
Just sickening.
I hope he's prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law!
It's so fucked up! Shame, shame.
Once a person believes something to be true and they take a side, even if science has proof as in anti or pro vaccinators, or no proof as in alien beings, we identify with our position and those who disagree are cast into the "other" category. So much superiority comes with knowing we're on the right side of history.
An ego filled with the rationalization it's absolutely correct, that no other argument or point of view is in any way acceptable, is an emotional weapon wielded without conscience or afterthought. Add the medium of social media where we don't have to look our ignorant accuser in the eye and the wrath of a wronged victim is unleashed in full force.
It's not the media's fault we become so one sided in our beliefs. It's our rush to opinion, quickly formed judgements, and refusal to consider someone else's or an opposing viewpoint. Arguments supplant information.
There are other important issues this can be a teachable moment for.
Will you be my best friend? I love this post so much I want to marry it.
I predict Dana will figure out how to respond to me again now. Again, I apologize to everybody here for that.
Yes, and and of course yes!
Cat37 says
I was outraged and disgusted at who did this to him like most everyone else when I first heard just as most came out to voice support for him. Then, when I saw questions being asked, I first thought it's just folks looking to hate on him. But things started really not making sense despite a lot of wolf pack crazy here. Now he's helped contribute to such a setback. This was like giving to a GoFundMe for someone with cancer and finding out you got played. A gut punch. Worse, he now helps cast doubt on the next real victim of something like this and allows gloating of those saying they were right. One thing is he's now cancelled despite his doubling down claiming he was unknowingly lured by those guys. Everyone is Pissed and some celebs are already calling him out.
Maybe you should stick to calling people "retards," hun… 😁
Oh, and that one who kept posting every 5 seconds who got bounced, it was rightfully because she was stalking every single person's post that said something she disagreed with heckling them over and over.
Um, nah. Nice try, Cat. When one person, alone, sticks to their guns against 100 knee-jerkers that is not bullying by the lone person.
When one person comes in and comments after each person who is horrified that a hate crime occurred with stupid shit that was not factually representing what the news was reporting at the time, it's troll.
You can't go back and deify a bitch just because the new facts show that" the victim "was some sort of mentally ill psychopath when "the victim" showed no indication of being anything less than a kind, supportive member of the black and LGBT community.
You don't get to then go back and rewrite history.You also don't get to barge in and start your MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN nonsense when people are dealing with what they believe to be a horrific hate crime
You also don't get to waltz in and say you knew it was a hoax all along and just didn't want to be persecuted by the evil overload who was roasting fucking Patti on the spit and clutch your pearls.
There are plenty of people here who had doubts about the initial story and manage to not accuse "the victim" of the level of fuckery that occurred until their was actual evidence of a hoax. Those people are not here donning their MAGA hats and bragging about knowing about a cruel hoax, Those people are here admitting their doubts, saying they didn't want to stir the pot unless there was evidence to reinforce their intuition and having some compassion for the people who actually thought they knew the person making the reports.
This experience is quite different based on what information and beliefs you held about Jussie Smollett PRIOR to this story. For a lot of you it's just another person who is part of a hoax. For some of us, Jussie was someone to be admired and respected. He was a leader in the LGBT community. He worked with the black community. He presented himself as almost beyond reproach. So for HIM to do this is not the same as it is for some random black gay guy living in Chicago. It is a personal thing. And those of you with no history with Jussie Smollett don't seem to grasp that vital difference.
Tamara, thank you for your post above about the border.
I can't imagine what his motive was.
When the story was first reported there was some dispute about whether the attackers wore MAGA hats and said this is MAGA country. Then the police talked to Jussie for clarification and he confirmed they were MAGA. It almost seemed like it was an after thought — an opportunity he didn't plan on. That said, I read that the brothers bought red stocking caps so it seems planned and contradicts my wishful thinking (that Jussie didn't plan on accusing MAGA).
I truly can't figure out what he planned on gaining. Surely, sacrificing his career to make a couple of MAGA guys in Chicago look bad wasn't his end game.
I have a feeling there is more of the story yet to come. It still doesn't make sense. The original story didn't feel right and either does this. We all might want to give it a minute and wait for the rest of the facts.
Why can't people comment on said topic without calling others out of their name, and having a full on one-on-one attack. The disrespect is strong.
Maybe it's time to close the comment section!🤷 js
And yes, I do know I am not the host of the site, and my comment re closure is not meant to be disrespectful or tell host of the site how to run it.
This story makes me so sad. I've watched Empire since the beginning and I adore Jussie. He's a good actor and you're right TT, everytime I saw him in interviews he seemed like such a good guy, down to earth and just plain nice. Uggghh…I'm so sad about how all this is turning out.
Let this be a lesson to those who so eagerly and uncritically accepted this story at face value. I watched the same thing happen with the Covington Catholic boys. You might want to check yourself for fake social stereotypes and ask why you would even believe such a dumb story about Trump supporters. Have you fallen for the left wing urban myth that Trump supporters are "racists?"
As with the Covington situation, Trump supporters are owed an apology for – once again – being the victim of bigoted social stereotypes.
Don't lecture Trump supporters about being "divisive" when you are causing the division. Man up and APOLOGIZE for your bigotry.
GO FUCK YOURSELF DANA.
Same to you, Tamara! 😅 #TDS
Apparently, I hit a nerve, Tamara? 😅
Hahaha. That's your response. Clinging to stereotypes doesn't work. Clearly. Do some out of the box thinking the next time you hear a story like this.
Go fuck yourself and your butt buddy Trump. ou stupid shit. Trump supporters are owed an apology? You're a dingbat
Did not believe his story from the begining. In my gut I knew it was a lie. He sealed the deal for me when he did that tv interview with Robin Robert's. Wasn't going to say anything though until all the facts came out. He should be ashamed of himself. Hes a sociopath. My guess is his people are going to throw him in rehab or sadly suicide. He will probably leave a note saying that all the doubters made him do it. Honestly I dont think he will ever come clean. He is way over his head with this lie. But something tells me this case is far from over. I suspect he is gonna go on the run and have some sort of O.J. bronco moment. I hope all this bullshit was worth it to him. Throw his ass in jail. He did a terrible, terrible thing
Please save a bit of animus for the media who have sensationalized these stories to incite rage and hate. Before this story, it was the Catholic school, Covington kids.
It is easy to see that the police knew they were not looking for white males since probably about day two when they viewed all the video in the area. However the police didn't come forward with this evidence because they didn't want to have negative press for not believing Jussie. Now he is so afraid of the media and contrary evidence he still won't tell the truth about it. This is not only a story about his mental health but maybe about saving our own mental health.
We have to change our response to news and question their motives. Are they laughing in those news rooms about how they can get the masses riled up and tweeting, turning one against another because we don't agree with a fact or an opinion.
A celebrity made a comment about waiting for all of the facts and wishing Jussie well, the celebrity was attacked online.
He simply said he was waiting for more information and
There is a rush to be first in the media, before all facts are available. Initially, this media tendency worked in Jussie's favor.
Hopefully, we all learn to give things time before weighing in. Social media is its own animal and things can snowball quickly. I
Now, with more facts, Jussie appears to have compromised his integrity for attention.
What about his friends, family and supporters? He betrayed a lot of people, not just himself. It's sad.
Fuck the MSM. This is all on them.
The motives of the main stream media….. are there own it's up to us to figure out the bullshit. And some of us are smarter than others this story really pissed me off. Jussie threw us all in a loop. And he did it for his own selfish reasons. And from what I have seen from him until this happened was someone very nice. I seen him on wendy before seemed like a stand up guy. That's why this shit was so crazy to me. For someone who seemed so genuine for u to concoct that lie….. all you were was a fraud.. trying to divide a country that's already divided????? Hes a lying pos!!! And all I can say is this. if he was trying to divide us , he failed we all came together and figured out this lie. So… thank u jussie! It took all your lies for us to all know that we are all the same at the end of the
Day!! There is no such thing as a bad race. Only bad people… remember that
cupcakescholar says
Okay…I am just going to put it out there… For some reason, I think that Jussie has pissed off someone and the fix is in to absolutely ruin him including destroying his credibility by connecting him to a serious hoax/crime for which he could be sentenced up to 4 years. Whoever is possibly coming for Jussie is quite powerful…
This is the typical first half hour of a Law and Order episode. In the 2nd half of the show, we find out that Jussie was set up by a powerful person that wants to ruin him to cover up a bigger crime.
@cupcakescholar: I cosign your theory because the other mess that's unfolding make absolutely; no sense.
I seriously doubt he's mentally ill, a sociopath, and all the other things that has been suggested.
Guess we'll have to wait and see how it all plays out.
There are other ways to set someone up, he did too many interviews for this to be someone else setting him up. He initiated the telling of this story, he reported to police…
Now, if someone came along and gave the Nigerian brothers more money than Jussie gave them to connect him to this, maybe…….but for me it all comes back to Jussie starting the whole thing.
If he never reported it, there would be no story.
Jussie saying that he was on the phone with his manager seems planned too now…
He did that nterview to try and make himself not look guilty. It was actually the nail in the coffin for me. The whole thing didnt make sense from the begining.
I understand why you guys are trying to make sense of this in a way that makes Jussie not be responsible for this shit show. I get it.
But it's time to look at all the new information coming in and attempt to reconcile the man you thought he was with the man he has just proven himself to be.
Your joking right.??? Lol your funny
Oh, good grief. How can people believe this shit? The truth is that Jussie staged an attack and tried to frame Trump supporters.
His dumb, gullible followers uncritically believed the story because it played on their bigoted social stereotypes.
Stop being a bigot and put aside your dumb social stereotypes! You got busted!
Thank you, Dana! Busted is exactly right.
They'll do it again too. Give them another couple weeks.
Thank u👏👏👏👏👏
Someone has never heard of occam's razor.
Yup, however, the more complicated explanation is more fun to explore. Who wants to belief that Jussie turned out to be a douche trying to promote an album by faking a hate crime…allegedly? I remain in denial a little longer, thanks.
I feel your pain, keep hope alive.
I thought he was attacked but due to a dating app meetup going sideways…never that he made the entire thing up.
I came here to say that.. "the most likely answer is the simplist one", it's true in science, in philosophy and human nature.
He set this up from the beginning, we may never know or understand his motives, and he has betrayed many people namely his fans that supported him throughout.
I'm learning not to trust anyone, not actors I enjoy or the media…
Bri says
TT, with the bad comes the good. Though this celebrity made a horrible choice, one that deeply affected many people, like the Chicago PD, there is good news. Jenelle Eason has separated from her abuser, David Eason. I read that article after reading this and thought I'd focus on the good. Jussie won't ruin my day.
I doubted his story because of too many holes, too many things didn't add up.
I wanted to believe him because he seems like a sincere person, but the story didn't make sense from start to finish. TT, your instincts were right but you wanted to believe him. There's nothing wrong with being optimistic.
Who yearns for a Subway sandwich in the middle of the night? Who walks to go get a sandwich, freezing temps when there are multiple food delivery services? Who keeps the damn noose around their neck? Who refuses to over their phone to police? Where was he hit with possible bleach substance? Clothing, face? It would be obvious where the bleach hit him.
I thought it was a dating app meet- up gone wrong. I believed the attack happened but under different circumstances .
I never thought he made the entire thing up.
Wow!!!!!!!!!! What was he thinking? There are so many ways to get information, even information you think you have deleted.
How did he think he would get away with this?
My friend, a psychiatrist, has a saying
" All God's children want attention. Good or bad" to explain unexplainable behavior.
As I am somewhat cynical and jaded, his career is not over completely. It will take time to recover and I predict a press statement will be released.
He will confess to a drug/ substance abuse addiction( heretofore unknown) then go to a recovery center for treatment, re-emerge in 1-2 years.(and hope we forget this mess)
Thanks Jussie for giving Trump more fuel….
The underlying narrative in all these types of stories is that bigotry is alive and well in this country and driven by mainly Trump supporters. (See above post)
I've been thinking about this ever since Charlottesville and Trump's statement about there being good people on both sides.
The both sides he was referring to were the pro tear down the statues people and the anti-tear down the statues people.
Included in the people who were against tearing down statues were the modern equivalent of Mrs Meade and Mrs Merriweather from GWTW, clinging to history with their "Committee for the Beautification of the Graves of Our Glorious Dead". In other words, blue haired southern armchair historian's who want to preserve their history. Rightly or wrongly, that is their motivation. It's not political, it's not racial, It's just gut level for them.
Almost every person who accuses trump of being a racist cites this incident and those words as evidence of his racism.He may be a racist, I don't know if he is, but this incident and those words are not the evidence I need to draw my conclusion.
The Covington kids, this Smollett affair, countless YouTube videos of people flat losing their shit at the sight of a maga hat…it's going to backfire. Again.
Wait. you don't know if Trump is a racist, TRHO? Seriously?
That's correct, I don't. At least not based on the statement about good people being at Charlottesville. There were good people at Charlottesville, like the blue haired old ladies. And bad people like Antifa. Both sides. And it's not racist to recognize that fact.
I'm actually interested in something you said in the other Smollett page comments about how one should limit contact with people who don't see things your way. I find that just as interesting as your query to me.Because, really?
I LIMIT contact with all kinds of offensive people. Gay bashers, rascists, snowflakes who take umbrage at every little thing. This includes family members. I find life much more enjoyable that way.
edited to change like to limit. I clearly do not like contact with people offensive or otherwise.
I agree. I do not believe Trump is racist but see politicians and the MSM going through great efforts to make it look like Trump (and MAGA) is racist.
And anyone who voted for him is racist. Trump won in part because people are tired of being labeled and persecuted for something they are not. And since then this daily outrage reporting and fake news about Trump and his supporters just keeps his supporters loyal.
No one said everyone who voted for Trump is racist. If you were around (mostly on Twitter) I was agonizing up to the last minute on who to vote for. The racist with a temperament that was unfit for office, or the idiot woman responsible for the death of all the US Ambassador to Libya and other and wounding several other American citizens and lying about it. She isn't any morally better than Trump. And her polices were worse for the country in my opinion. HOWEVER, it became clear as the election campaigns continued that Trump was too unhinged to behave in a way that is acceptable as a world leader. At least lying Hillary could communicate with other world leaders in a way that doesn't damage decades long relationships.
So I held my nose and voted for the marginally saner person to have their finger on the nuclear button. l
I imagine there were many other Independents in the same position. However those who felt Trump was the lesser of two evils are not all racists just because they voted for a racist, misogynist pig to lead the country. There were seriously know good options.
I'm prayerful the democrats will come up with a candidate that can win in 2020 but by the looks of things so far, I am not optimistic.
Currently the Republican party has lost its balls and its way and the Democrats are swinging so far left they've landed in socialismland. Its not looking good. I just need for things to implode for a few more years and I'll be ready to travel the world and see where I land.
kkbella says
TT- your sentence: "…the republican party has lost its balls and its way and the demos are swinging so far left theyve landed n socialismland.", sums it ALL up in a nutshell. I have been looking for a way to get another passport, and the best place for ex pats to go. This stuff is too outrageous and wrong to come back from, absent a civil war. But modern americans don't have the nerve to rage a real, nasty war. So, here we all sit. It is/has been heartbreaking. The whole incident of this post is a result of the compass gone wrong.
Costa Rica and Uruguay are my top two. I plan to go spend some time in Uruguay when um … my responsibility here are not so demanding.
The folks accusing Trump of being "racist" are projecting. The left is pathologically obsessed with skin color and judges people accordingly. That is the very definition of racism. Barking "racistracistracist" at everything they don't like is just more evidence of Trump Derangement Syndrome on the left.
pkati says
Sad. As soon as I heard his story then saw his photo with barely a sratch on his cheek, I just sensed that his story didn't add up. Growing up in racist Indiana, those folks have so much hatred in their hearts so that fact that they didn't kill him or beat him severely gave me the feeling instantly that his story didn't ring true. Also as a famous person with resources why would he risk a stalker or other drama, walking around Chicago in the streets in the early morning (murder and red light district) of all places?! Smh. So, what is really going on with this young "successful" guy who basically has everything including supposedly a fine, first class successful boyfriend as well?
This seems to be a cry for attention/help, publicity but Why??? We may or may not ever know what his motivation was.
I hope that he pays his dues and settles with the local police dept where he filed a false claim. I hope that he is allowed to redeem himself and reveal what caused this awful lie. The mother in me, hopes that he seeks help from a mental health professional to sort out his demons. He needs to realize the severity of his criminal act and pay back society to make amends for his actions.
Some of you are angry and bitter. I'm sad for him. Although he didn't murder someone with a gun, a car with a DUI, he has caused harm/shame to his family, African Americans, LGBT community and Empire folks who stood by him. I agree. This could be the end of his career. I hope he has family around cuz he may not recover from this self inflicted career killer.
Wow. He wanted national attention and he certainly got infamy.
I am concerned about this growing trend of false accusations being made against Trump supporters by left wing liars. There have been two recent, highly visible cases, where left wingers made up stories about Trump supporters to get attention. First there was the Covington Catholic kids [falsely accused by left wing liar and fake Vietnam vet, Nathan Phillips – can you say Stolen Valor?] and here we are again with this fake attack by Jussie Smollet.
What is even more concerning is that we have a complicit and uncritical press and their bigoted followers who believe these stories at face value. They are so poisoned by social stereotypes that they would uncritically believe such a dumb story. These stories, to me, expose a lack of critical thinking along with bigotry in our country. I hope those who believed this story at face value will take the time to check themselves for bigotry.
What?????😕😕😕😕😕😕😕
Shes crazy. Pay her no never mind.
Shut the fuck up already. We get it; you love Trump. Maybe he'll grab your pussy
betsybug818 says
I hope for the day when it becomes second-nature for each of us to seek out first those things that unify all of us instead of moving first to seek out to find what divides us.
That's a thought I have for all of us, my (flawed) self included.
Cheryle Wing says
I don't want to spend 142 billion on illegals each year. Does this make be a bigot? NO. Frugal maybe.. I want to spend that money on our own homeless, mentally ill , drug addicted and Health benefits for the people here. . I just don't understand all the hate.
I am floored and disappointed that you would post this when lots of false information about this case is still being thrown around by the TMZ types. Has he been charged with filing a false report? Chicago PD are well known for their corruption.
I don't watch Empire or know of him otherwise, but the internet is a cesspool of false reports because everyone wants to be "first". Let the facts fall into place, either way, but this post is gross.
BeeSmart says
I have no clue what he was thinking with creating a false hate crime. Personally, I thought it was just not a plausible story from the jump. The temps in Chicago at the time and the "MAGA Country" stuff just didn't add up to me. I thought maybe it was a tinder date gone wrong. Never would have thought that somebody would not only have this type of thing inflicted upon themselves but rehearse it and still try to play the victim when the details start coming out. I hope he gets the much needed help he is obviously crying out for.
I hope this is a lesson to all media to get all the facts before they start reporting something as the truth. I can't even count the amount of times since 2015 they have repeatedly done this. This doesn't help anybody and all it does is further divide us. What happened to trust but verify?
The media is not to blame. Blame social media if you must blame someone other than the perpetrators. The media reported on a police report filed and investigated as such by CPD. Crimes are reported on before the truth of a crime is revealed all the time. That's what they do. The media does not decide the guilt or innocence of an accused criminal. The courts do that.
If, instead, you are referring to Robin Roberts, or the gossip sites, please know that they do not represent legitimate media any more than Sean Hannity or Laura Ingraham.
The media reported the evidence that was presented as it was presented. When someone goes to the police and reports a hate crime that is news that is reported.
When it later turns out to be a hoax after an investigation that is also news.
It is important that victims be believed when they file a report a shitheaded behavior like this does a disservice to everyone. A few shitheads should not stop us from believing all victims when they come forward unless and have their allegations investigated to uncover the truth.
This case went exactly the way it should have.
Except it during the same time, and in the same city a disabled man was scalped and beaten by people yelling "fuck Trump" and there was almost nary a peep in the media.
It's not IF a thing gets reported that shows media bias, it's HOW.
Where did this peep in the media occur?
It happened in Chicago, but the time was 2017. My memory scrambled the date.
Four suspects have been charged with hate crimes, kidnapping and battery after a Facebook Live broadcast in Chicago appeared to show a person with disabilities bound, gagged and brutally attacked amid shouts of "fuck Donald Trump".
Four arrested over Facebook Live video of man tortured amid anti-Trump taunts
The footage, which was live-streamed on Facebook, showed several people taunting and assaulting the man while he was sitting in the corner of a room, restrained and with his mouth taped closed.
Police identified the suspects as Jordan Hill, Tesfaye Cooper and sisters Brittany Covington and Tanishia Covington. The suspects are all 18 years old, except Tanishia Covington, who is 24, according to the Associated Press.
UGH. I remember that. You could not avoid the video on social media for days. So sick. I wonder how much jail time the got.
THANK YOU so much for making the distinction between NEWS reporting and GOSSIP reporting. Just because a person can type and post data does not make them a journalist. The difference seems to be getting more blurred every day.
Endora says
TT, Sorry your faith was shaken, but but you were not wrong for feeling it. The projected illusion was that he was that wonderful person, and maybe he wasn't. Maybe he was though, and got afraid he was going to be out of the limelight and cooked up a poorly thought out scenario. Actors live in world where silly fantasies are made plausible by creative writers. Sometimes they don't function in reality.
However, I don't think he is done. I believe some PR people or "creative writers" are coming up with a story to cover this incident ,as we speak. I expect to hear hat he went into therapy, and while there he recalled an incident just like this one that happened when he was younger that he repressed, and that the conditions of that night triggered a flashback that his PTSD, accepted as real. Or some other contrived tale to cover his "tail."
While I hope he does not rise to prior heights, I certainly hope he will rebound from this, and not self-harm. I believe it and I pray for him.. but as we know from prior examples, these actors are sooo in love with themselves, they land on their feet.
Yup. I'm sad that Jussie did this, and I am sad that it will possibly take away from real hate crimes from the LGTB and black community. Most of all I am sad that I truly do not know what to believe anymore.
Jussie's attorney, Michael Monico, is no longer representing Jussie. You think Monico made Jussie take a lie detector test and ran for the hills when the results came in? Did Monico even last 24 hours?
I think this is a toxic case for attorneys. It seems clear by the Chicago reporting posted somewhere in this behemoth of a comment section that the cops will likely be able to place Jussie in the hardware store when the brothers bought the rope. It's likely it will be on a security cam. If the police press charges on him the case will be fairly cut and dry for the judge and jury. I'd guess his attorney, when he gets another one, will want an judge to preside. As we see here there is too much hysteria on both sides to risk a jury pool. IMNSHO.
POST UPDATED! The Source is TMZ and they have been fairly accurate so far barring some minor details.
The two major points are that a Grand Jury will decide next week if Jussie faces a criminal trial. And that the store where the rope was purchased could not provide video tape because the tapes are erased every week. I suppose there is still the possibility of other surveillance cameras in the area that may have video.
Maybe everyone involved were dumb enough to text or private message each other about this terrible hoax…allegedly. I am ready to see the texts…That is why Jussie won't give up that phone.
Twitter is out of control today talking about this.
Huh?? Where have u been.??
Tmz has been quite Inaccurate but you seem to have a new clickbait formula that trumps accuracy. Shame on you TT. Ban me for calling you out.
Jussie or jussie lawyers. Take a Godamn seat. Your goose Is cooked stupid. Dont u get that?? You made so many people involved with a bs.story dont u get it????
Just throw him in the hab. Because that's easy.
I will grant your request since you seem unable to leave this site full of misinformation and lies on your own. I am not creating the news. I am REPORTING the news.
TMZ has been MOSTLY accurate. The got the name of the hardware store wrong and CNN seems to be using them as a source for their news. I'm quite fine with reporting TMZ's sources in addition to the local Chicago stations.
You can now get the fuck off my site and head off to whatever Utopian site you seek. I'm more than happy not to have to moderate your ignorant bullshit comments.
Get to stepping.
Anyone else need my assistance finding the door?
No ma'am. You stuck with me…hope you don't mind. 😊
I'm good if you are! 🙂
Oh God TT, I FREAKING love you!!!!!
It's because of my pleasant demeanor, isn't it? 🙂
I believed it because of the honorable things Jussie has done for the LGBTQ community and other charitable works. NOT because I admire his acting and singing. Anyone who confuses a person's gift or skills with who they ARE likely learned nothing from the OJ tragedy.
I believed Jussie's story because there are INSANE things happening every damn day. There are racist people everywhere. It did not need to MAKE SENSE. Just as the mass shootings st schools make no sense. There are reasons, but not sensible reasons.
But what REALLY makes no sense is this fabrication. This is the work of a disturbed person. The only thing I can think of is that Jussie thought he would put the spotlight on hate crimes against gays and blacks by playing the starring role. Again, it makes NO SENSE. NONE. But to sate my curiousity, I would like to know what Jussie was THINKING. Not what some team if lawyers and flackers will say for him.
Being from Chicago and mere blocks from where this allegedly happened, let me say that if you wear a MAGA hat around there, you will be shot at.
LOL. I think that in LOTS of places one could be shot for wearing a MAGA hat. And not by the Fashion Police! My favorite record label, Bloodshot Records, and many of my fave recording artists are based in Chicago, so that doesn't surprise me.
I so appreciate TT for reporting all this. Truth is, the people that control the wealth of the world want us all to fight each other. Race war will never end. Right vs left will never end. News flash: right and left powers are in bed together. Look up bohemian grove… mk ultra… Illuminati… why does every celebrity make the same hand gestures? (A-ok/666, all seeing eye, devil horns…).
This story is a ploy to divide us. Jussie is their puppet.
We are being manipulated… groomed, even. We have to wake the F up.
When you wake up please seek a good therapist and share tinfoil had theories. You will be given some Abilify or maybe seroquil which should fix you right up.
In the midst of all of this tragedy (the comments/commenters and of course Jussie) this is giving me life. LOL for reals.
Me too. 🤣🤣🤣
I'm still laughing. Really.
Me too!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
This brings up a question I've had for years: WHY do so many unconnected people wear tinfoil (never aluminum) hats or think they are getting messages through the fillings in their teeth?
Whoa.. u kinda lost me there. Lol
FULL OF SHIT!!! Dont worry about us judging u. Worry about the higher make.
Never really believed him and once he was every news/entertainment show seeming VERY rehearsed I knew he was lying. It's horrible. It's not the way to draw attention to what is happening right now in our country. This will end his career but I hope it doesn't end his life because this will be hard to recover from😔
I'm not sure what it is. But this whole thing pisses me off on so many levels.
Kita says
Was he arrested?
No. But TMZ is reporting that a grand jury will be assembled sometime next week. It that turns out to be the case we could get some testimony from the Nigerians and/or Jussie. I haven't seen anyone else independently reporting this though.
If found guilty of filing a false police report it is a CLASS IV FELONY in Chicago up to 3-4 years in jail and large $ fine.
KDM says
Jeez, I think you always have to give someone who claims to be the victim of a crime the benefit of the doubt and believe them unless the police have evidence proving otherwise. I have never heard of this guy, and think that If what the police are saying is true, then he himself committed a Hate Crime buy stating his attackers wore MAGA hats and stated this was MAGA country.
But after reading your post TT, and bringing up that he has or will lose everything and you hope he doesn't take his own life, my thoughts have softened. I don't know what would cause him to do such a stupid thing, especially in this day of cameras and cell phones. I hope he comes clean, because I believe in the power of forgiveness and in redemption. In the grand scheme of things, no one was physically hurt. He may be prosecuted, serve time, have a lot of fines to pay and apologies to make, but he can recover from this. His chosen career may be over, but there is still life to live, and I am sure the people who love him will still love him.
the bean says
he is a lying pig who could have caused a civil war, i am insulted and angry as a white woman trump supporter… he called me names in that attack that never happened i hope with all that is right, this man goes straight to jail and not put in seclusion either.. general population.. then he can see and feel exactly what he did.. the punishment must fit the crime.. if this was a white person… omg!!
Update: per TMZ and according the the 2 brothers … you choose if TMZ is a good source … apparently, the 3 of them rehearsed and wanted it to be on camera.
Quote from TMZ:
"When cops arrived, Jussie took them down to the area he said the "attack" went down and pointed to the camera, saying it was good the incident was captured on video. What he didn't know was that the camera was pointed in the wrong direction and didn't capture the incident."
I still do not understand what Jussie's motive was. He went through a lot of trouble to make MAGA look bad and should have realized the risk to his career if he was caught. This is a felony in Chicago.
You've probably all moved on but this isn't the first time I've talked to myself. 🙂
We;re still here.
i posted one TMZ story at the end of this post, but I guess I didn't post this one or it is somewhere in the middle of all the arguing.
I am still monitoring several sources and it doesn't seem like we know of a lot of forward motion today.
Oh, Tamara, check out the quote from Shah's Reza also on TMZ. Our worlds are colliding. "Our" reality stars and the news in the same story. I think you will identify with Reza's feelings about defending Jussie.
Many here will identify with what Reza said — very much so.
Ingrifd says
Wow there are some really great comments on this and a few crazy ones, but mostly a fascinating dialogue.
My husband called BS on this from day 1, and I just wanted to see how it played out, both potential outcomes were hard to stomach , either he was telling the truth after being abused and no one believed him, or he made the whole thing up. Both are beyond belief , which is probably why many people jumped to support him.
Someone close to me was accused of something and eventually cleared years ago, (no it really wasn't me), it it taught me a few important things : people lie to protect or promote themselves, it happens, and the news often gets things wrong . Often what they report is based on an unreliable source , then the other agencies pick it up . The other thing I learned was to question everything , the "real truth" is seldom revealed . Looking at multiple sources is very important, non-biased news, often Reuters or AP.
Blessed says
I still believe him…….
Ur a moron !!! ( in judge Judy voice)
MAYBE Jussie and Charles Manson have something in common… HELTER SKELTER!
FacingReality says
There were too many issues with Jussie's story from day 1 to make any of it believable. First, there was a polar vortex the night he claimed to be attacked which would have made it virtually impossible for anyone to recognize him in the amount of clothing one would have needed to venture out on such a night – plus a person of his stature would have called a delivery service. Second, Chicago is NOT MAGA country so it made no sense why anyone would have first recognized him all bundled up as being from Empire and two who would wear a MAGA hat instead of a winter cap in that type of weather. Third bleach freezes at around 15 degrees and it was 20 below that night so you can't toss bleach in that temperature w/o it freezing midair. Fourth, there is no way he had any kind of fight with 2 people and that damn subway sandwich survived intact. Last but not least, who would leave a rope around their neck for 45 minutes (apparently he took time to eat said sandwich and have a drink) before calling the police. That rope would have been the FIRST thing a true victim of a possible lynching would have removed. His story just NEVER passed the smell test!
I mean…. when you put it like that… Also, could you stick around and solve some other mysteries for us? I think you would be quite handy here. I need you to explain to the class why it is clear that Lisa Vanderpump orchestrated the leaking of the dog story to the tabloids.
Wait…WAIT! Where are you going! I haven't even asked about well lots of other stuff! 🙂
Seriously, welcome.
You are absolutely right. The story, as it was told, didn't make sense. During the polar vortex I barely had any part of my face showing. Each and every person I saw outside (and there weren't many) were was bundled up as I was.
Another thing that never registered as truthful to me is during a polar vortex two guys are walking around Chicago looking for a victim. It was late at night and we were suppose to believe they were walking around with ropes and clorox and "luckily" ran into a celebrity. What are the chances of those things all happening?
Not a chance. It wasn't believable. What kind of twisted mind does Jussie have to think of a story like this??
Ms. TT. Great Reporting.
Nothing about this guy's story made sense and it became less true and suspect when he gave the ABC interview with R. Roberts. He never really looked the camera dead on and he was forcing tears and was making up answers to R. Roberts' questions. Sorry he felt the need to dupe Americans as he did but most importantly the shame and embarrassment he has caused himself and his family. Grow up, real life hate crimes are happening everyday we do need made up ones for someones personal gain in his career. So sad.
laila says
FacingReality a few posts up makes so much sense. I was so worried that they might of threw bleach in his eyes, apparently it was frozen!! I totally believed him. My son told me it's Chicago, cold, 2am, the sandwich etc.. and he didn't believe it. I said "no it's Jussie, he would never lie." I feel like a fool. I feel horrible for real victims.
He hired a high profile attorney. He needs one. And a psychiatrist because something is wrong with him. Maybe drugs? Idk. Also, Empire has demoted his role.
And, here we go:
Chicago police on Wednesday officially classified "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett as a suspect in a criminal investigation for allegedly filing a false police report.
Department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said detectives were presenting evidence to a grand jury Wednesday afternoon to show that Smollett made the false report.
No one should feel badly that they were duped. He's clearly a very good actor. I'm a lifelong Chicagoan and I took his story at face value for a few minutes too. It was a shocking story. Then the more details that came out the more questions I had. I won't rehash what other Chicagoans have said. My reasons for doubting the story are basically the same as theirs. Chicago has enough real problems. We really didn't need this. Now he's being charged and we are going to have a circus we truly don't need.
Carol on It's Martin Luther King Day
tamaratattles on It's Martin Luther King Day