Empire Actor Jussie Smollett is in custody after turning himself into Chicago police Thursday morning. Smollett is accused of faking a hate crime against himself and has been charged with a felony for filing a false police report. He claims he was attacked by two men wearing "Make America Great Again" hats who shouted "this is MAGA country." He also claimed he received a threatening letter showing a man hanging from a noose at gunpoint next to "MAGA." The physical attack happened in the middle of the night, in Chicago (not MAGA country), during a Polar Vortex.
After his story completely fell apart, with evidence showing he sent the letter himself and hired two brothers (of Nigerian descent) to attack him, on Wednesday evening the news broke that Smollett would be charged. CNN's Don Lemon, whose show airs at 10 p.m. eastern, had a meltdown and proclaimed this isn't Smollett's fault. Further, Lemon's biggest concern seems to be the reaction from Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson.
Since the beginning of the Smollett case, Lemon has been one of the actor's biggest defenders and shamed those who doubted his story.
Here was @donlemon saying earlier this month he was texting Smollett every single day:
— David Rutz (@DavidRutz) February 21, 2019
"I knew everyone would be picking apart his story. It's not for me. That's not my concern. My concern is for him."https://t.co/CfiRRnycWl
Don Lemon completely gives the game away of why CNN won’t simply own up to this and other failings. Because they are paid to act like opposition. Smollet, Parkland, Covington, list goes on... they believe they are political opposition. Not journalists.
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) February 21, 2019
Smollett's lawyers are arguing he deserves a presumption of innocence until this case is over. Chicago police will hold a press conference this morning and give further details about Smollett's allegedly false claims.
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