© Danny Moloshok/ReutersJussie Smollett
There's an obvious answer to the question, "Why would Jussie Smollett do something like that?"
On January 29, tabloid news site
TMZ broke
the shocking story that Jussie Smollett, a gay black entertainer and progressive activist, had been viciously attacked in Chicago. Two racist white men had fractured his rib, poured bleach on him, and tied a noose around his neck. As they were leaving, they shouted the ominous words: "This is MAGA country" - a reference to President Trump's campaign slogan. MSNBC reported the rumor that they were even wearing MAGA hats.
Leaks from the Chicago police over the weekend, however, indicate that Smollett likely paid two Nigerian-American brothers he knew to orchestrate the attack. Smollett denied any wrongdoing through a statement released to the media by his lawyers.That the original story broke days just after the Covington narrative fell apart last month didn't stop it from spreading quicker than a wildfire. Within hours of
TMZ's report, some of America's most influential politicians and celebrities amplified the story - and the belief that America is a dangerous place for minorities - to millions across the world.
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