Empire actor Jussie Smollett turned himself into Chicago police Thursday morning after staging a hate crime against himself.
Hours later, Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson slammed Smollet for the hoax, but failed to mention the political nature of his actions.
Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson says Jussie Smollett "took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career."
— ABC News (@ABC) February 21, 2019
"I'm left hanging my head and asking why?" https://t.co/4yYt9F76Rk pic.twitter.com/LxHmgIhy2g
Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson: "Absolute justice would be an apology to this city that he smeared, admitting what he did, and then be man enough to offer what he should offer up in terms of all the resources that were put into this." https://t.co/5AiMcfe6iH pic.twitter.com/lmtBmnRHZb
— ABC News (@ABC) February 21, 2019
Now, President Trump is weighing in and reminding everyone that Smollet didn't simply make up a hate crime, he held Trump supporters responsible for it.
.@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
Meanwhile, 20th Century Fox is weighing options on whether to keep Smollett on the show.
NEW: Statement from 20th Century Fox Television and Fox Entertainment on Jussie Smollett: "We understand the seriousness of this matter and we respect the legal process. We are evaluating the situation and we are considering our options.” https://t.co/E64BpTUjap pic.twitter.com/4f4D9UrQak
— ABC News (@ABC) February 21, 2019