By Mark Gray
11:28am PST, Feb 21, 2019
On Jan. 21, "Empire" star Jussie Smollett turned himself into police and he was arrested for filing a false police report, stemming from his highly publicized "attack" in Chicago. Police are saying the Jussie staged the attack because "he was dissatisfied with his salary" on the Fox show. Chicago's Police Superintendent called the whole thing a "publicity stunt." Police said Jussie sent himself a false letter spewing homophobic, racial and political views. Afterward, police said he paid two men $3,500 via a check to "attack" him. If convicted of the crime, a felony, it carries a maximum of three years in prison. Jussie's lawyers said in a statement, "Like any other citizen, Mr. Smollett enjoys the presumption of innocence, particularly when there has been an investigation like this one where information, both true and false, has been repeatedly leaked." It added, "Given these circumstances, we intend to conduct a thorough investigation and to mount an aggressive defense." Click through to see how Hollywood is reacting to the shocking news…
"This touches all the buttons. It's a setback for race relations, homophobia, MAGA supporters. I cannot think of another case where there is this anger on so many sides, and you can understand why there would be." –Robin Roberts
"My head is exploding this morning. I have to get off Twitter. This story is pathetic. All of it." —Andy Cohen
"How I wish that the disappearance of Terrance Williams and Felipe Santos could get half as much attention as this Jussie Smollett thing. I have personally spoken to Jussie, and he is adamant that he's telling the truth. Also, everyone that I know who knows him says that he is not the kind of person who would make up such a horrible and awful thing. Yet the evidence seems to state otherwise. I'm lost for words. To stoke fears and raise racial tensions is wrong in every situation on ALL SIDES! Yet my prayers are still with him and his family and our Nation. CAN WE PLEASE STOP THE HATE!" –Tyler Perry
"Shame on you, Jussie Smollett – you hideous, reprehensible, disgusting, sniveling little liar. And shame on all those who bought your web of stinking deceit." –Piers Morgan
"I don't understand why victim-hood, making himself the victim in any way would be the way to go for your salary dispute. There has done really long term damage for real people who are victims of hate crime, every hate crime coming forward." –Meghan McCain
"Wait.. what? He used a CHECK? Noooooooooooooo" –Terry Crews
".@JussieSmollett – what about MAGA and the tens of millions of people you insulted with your racist and dangerous comments!? #MAGA" –Donald Trump
"Way to go Jussie. You just handed this racist dips— a 'Get Out Of Race-Baiting Free' card that he's gonna wave around like a soiled diaper until he's re-elected." –Patton Oswalt, speaking about Donald Trump.
"On the positive side, now I know who Jussie Smollett is." –Michael Ian Black
"This is sad! I kept smh." –Garcelle Beauvais
"The degree of 'narcissistic injury' this guy has inflicted on himself is so grievous, he probably won't survive it. To go from hanging with Obama to being a pariah overnight will be intolerable to him." –James Woods
"Hey Cory-Kamala. How bout Jussie???" –Charlie Daniels
"Jussie is finally number one on twitter." –Chuck Woolery
