The Jussie Smollett story of a racial attack was too politically convenient to be true. And as with investments, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.We have covered several dozen hoaxes, including The Great Oberlin College Racism Hoax of 2013. The Jussie Smollett story had all the indications of a hoax, of seeming too politically convenient and useful to be true. The alleged crime took place in late January, when two white men in #MAGA hats attacked the gay black actor, call him racist and homophobic slurs, punched him while saying “this is MAGA country,” threw bleach on him, and put a noose around his neck.How “convenient” a story in the age of Trump Derangement Syndrome. The political convenience was shown with the overwhelming liberal condemnation not only of the attack but of Trumpism, even though the facts were suspicious from the start. Follow these threads for a sampling of screenshots about the alleged crime by Hollywood and liberal political elites:https://twitter.com/redsteeze/status/1096202355614408704https://twitter.com/Cameron_Gray/status/1096184354253033472But there were facts that made it seem, from the start, less than probable: MAGA supporters in Chicago carrying bleach? In the middle of the night randomly finding a high profile black actor to attack? In the middle of the Polar Vortex of below zero temperatures? And why a noose? I understand the imagery, but the likelihood?As in all these potential hoaxes, we exercised caution as police searched, in vain, for video footage of the crime. Another suspicious absence in a city flooded with security cameras. When two men were finally identified, they turned out to be black Nigerians who had some relationship to Smollett.Now it appears to be completely falling apart for Smollett. The Nigerians, initially arrested, have been released and are cooperating with police. Multiple national and local news sources are reporting that their police sources are telling them the Nigerians have confessed to purchasing the hats and the rope for Smollett and at his cost, in order to stage the attack.CBS2 in Chicago reports:
Two brothers who were questioned and released by Chicago police investigating the Jussie Smollett attack did play a role in the crime.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 the weekend of Jan. 25.The brothers were paid $3,500 before leaving for Nigeria and were promised an additional $500 upon their return.The sources say plain red hats worn by the brothers were bought at an Uptown beauty supply store and that the attack was supposed to happen before Jan. 29….The brothers are now cooperating with police.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.”
Two law enforcement sources with knowledge of the investigation tell CNN that Chicago Police believe actor Jussie Smollet paid two men to orchestrate an assault on him that he reported late last month.
Is it “possible” Smollett did not set up this hoax. Yes, but it’s as likely as two white guys running around Chicago in the middle of a Polar Vortex wearing MAGA hats while carrying bleach and a noose.
“CPD Spox: Jussie Smollett is no longer considered a victim in this case”
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