Trump Calls Out Jussie Smollett Over ‘Racist and Dangerous Comments’

Source: Variety:

February 21, 2019 at 12:33

Smollett also claimed his attackers poured bleach on him and put a noose around his neck.

President Donald Trump weighed in on the arrest of Jussie Smollett Thursday, calling out the actor for “racist and dangerous comments.” The “Empire” actor was taken into police custody for allegedly filing a false police report. During a press conference shortly after his arrest, Chicago police asserted that Smollett set up a hate crime hoax because he was “dissatisfied with his salary” on the Fox show.

Trump took to Twitter, writing, “@JussieSmollett — What about MAGA and the tens of millions of people you insulted with your racist and dangerous comments!? #MAGA.”

.@JussieSmollett - what about MAGA and the tens of millions of people you insulted with your racist and dangerous comments!? #MAGA
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 21, 2019

When Smollett initially reported the incident, he reported that the attackers yelled “MAGA,” a reference to Trump’s campaign slogan “Make America Great Again.” Smollett also claimed his attackers poured bleach on him and put a noose around his neck.

On Jan. 31, Trump was asked about the alleged attack, and said, “I can tell you that it’s horrible. It doesn’t get worse.” But his son, Donald Trump Jr., had been retweeting reports that cast doubt on Smollett’s claims.

In the initial days after Smollett alleged the attack, a number of political figures, celebrities and LGBT organizations weighed in in defense. But the veracity of Smollett’s story was quickly questioned from some figures on the right, and in recent days a number of Trump supporters have called out Democrats, activists and the media for a perceived rush to judgment.