From the Chicago Tribune this afternoon:
Jeremy Gorner, Tracy Swartz, William Lee
Chicago TribuneDetectives investigating the reported attack on “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett questioned him again Thursday as they interviewed two people of interest, including a man who worked on the show, according to law enforcement sources.
The developments come as Smollett gave his first TV interview about the incident and tried to end doubt that he was attacked in Streeterville more than two weeks ago by two men who shouted slurs at him, hit him and wrapped a rope around his neck while yelling, “This is MAGA country!”
“I respect too much the people — who I am now one of those people — who have been attacked in any way,” he told “Good Morning America” co-anchor Robin Roberts. “You do such a disservice when you lie about things like this.”
The same day the show aired, police questioned Smollett again.
They were also questioning two people of interest who were seen in the area where Smollett says he was attacked around 2 a.m. Jan. 29 while walking from a Subway shop to his apartment in the 300 block of East North Water Street.
A law enforcement source said the two men were brought in for questioning Wednesday night from O’Hare International Airport. One of them worked on “Empire,” the source said.
Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi emphasized that the two “are not considered suspects at this time.”
Smollett has said two men walked up, yelled racial and homophobic slurs, hit him and wrapped a rope around his neck. None of that was caught by the cameras detectives have checked so far, according to Guglielmi. The cameras did show two people walking near the area around the time of the incident, but the images are dark and the faces are not clear.
Guglielmi said the two men — who sources say are both black — were tracked down “through meticulous investigation.”
Guglielmi released no other details, but a source familiar with the investigation said one of the men was traced through his use of a ride-share service.
I’m giving this story a lot of coverage because it seems like it has the potential, if it works out the way I’m guessing it will, to finally force the media to admit the existence of Hate Hoaxes.
If it does turn out to be a Hate Hoax, Prepare to Pounce!
Smollett refused to let the story fade away, going on Good Morning America today to promote his claims:
Commenter BenKenobi reflects:
When you think about it, in a way we are all Jussie’s attacker.
In truth, Jussie Smollett is a flagrant real hate criminal, having apparently concocted a conspiracy with two Nigerians to racistly smear white male Trump supporters as hate criminals.
Here’s my 2004 article in The American Conservative entitled “Hate Hoax.”
And from 2013 in Taki’s Magazine, my pair of articles on how Hate Hoaxes are an essential part of the Democratic Party’s strategy for holding their Coalition of the Margins together:
Good news: lynchings are now officially a Job Americans Wont Do. We need a new Visa category for Third Worlders who will come to America and supply the white racist violence that so many are sure is everywhere.
— Insert Name Here (@johnwcbragg) February 15, 2019
Here are some January tweets by leading Presidential contenders:
.@JussieSmollett is one of the kindest, most gentle human beings I know. I’m praying for his quick recovery.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) January 29, 2019
This was an attempted modern day lynching. No one should have to fear for their life because of their sexuality or color of their skin. We must confront this hate.
The vicious attack on actor Jussie Smollett was an attempted modern-day lynching. I'm glad he's safe.
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) January 29, 2019
To those in Congress who don't feel the urgency to pass our Anti-Lynching bill designating lynching as a federal hate crime– I urge you to pay attention. https://t.co/EwXFxl5f2m
Can't load tweet https://twitter.com/SpeakerPelosi/status/1090439686504570885: Sorry, that page does not exist
The racist and homophobic attack on Jussie Smollett is a horrific instance of the surging hostility toward minorities around the country. We must come together to eradicate all forms of bigotry and violence. https://t.co/2accVEJrCG
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) January 29, 2019
We track hate. In 2017 alone we counted 51 anti-LGBT groups in the US.
— Southern Poverty Law Center (@splcenter) January 30, 2019
The violent attack on Jussie Smollett, albeit despicable, is not unique. POC & the LGBTQ community are most commonly targeted – especially those at the intersection of both identities. https://t.co/IMGP7RnbVJ
Racism, homophobia, & all forms of bigotry & hate have no place in this country. The fight for equality isn’t over – no one should have to live in fear of being beaten on the street because of who they are. https://t.co/CF0G95CkTc
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) January 29, 2019
What happened today to @JussieSmollett must never be tolerated in this country. We must stand up and demand that we no longer give this hate safe harbor; that homophobia and racism have no place on our streets or in our hearts. We are with you, Jussie. https://t.co/o8ilPu68CM
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) January 30, 2019
