Empire actor Jussie Smollett was attacked early Tuesday morning in what Chicago police are calling a possible hate crime, but some conservatives don’t believe one of their own is responsible.
And it’s because they’re claiming to have never watched his TV show.
Smollett is Black and came out as gay in 2015. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the alleged attackers taunted Smollett with racist and homophobic slurs, poured an unknown substance on him (widely reported as bleach), and wrapped a rope around his neck.
Smollett told police that his attackers were wearing black clothing and ski masks. In a later interview, Smollett said that his attackers shouted “this is MAGA country” during the incident.
While Chicago police public information officer Anthony Guglielmi told the Sun-Times that the assailants made statements suggesting they knew who Smollett was, some conservatives doubt the narrative.
The veracity of the MAGA statement is unknown, but conservatives have a defense anyway. Katrina Pierson, a former Trump campaign spokesperson, tweeted her disbelief Wednesday.
“I’m still stuck on MAGA supporters who watch Empire!? Or, would know who he is? It’s befuddling – because I don’t and wouldn’t recognize him.”
I’m still stuck on MAGA supporters who watch Empire!? Or, would know who he is? It’s befuddling – because I don’t and wouldn’t recognize him.🤷🏽♀️ https://t.co/pultZaHIbJ
— Katrina Pierson (@KatrinaPierson) January 30, 2019
Conservative commentator Bethany Mandel echoed that sentiment.
So let me get this straight: There were folks present in this area at 2am in a polar vortex. They were waiting for a gay, black man to attack. They recognized this guy from a show I've never heard of, through the hat, coat, scarf and gloves he was wearing because of the cold.
— Bethany S. Mandel (@bethanyshondark) January 30, 2019
Others had a similar response.
https://twitter.com/DrWutt/status/1090302881956122624
https://twitter.com/Paulskemp/status/1090302329931337728
No witnesses, no surveillance footage in one of the busiest cities? But 2 White Racist #MAGA men watch #Empire & had supplies & new who he was? They let him live with just a scratch? Everyone's been drinking way too much Kool-Aid to believe this 💩
— Stanley James (@StanleyJames05) January 30, 2019
The defense of “we don’t watch Empire” is telling. Empire is a show predominantly about Black experience and proudly boasting that people with your political affiliation are ignorant of one of the most popular shows on television reveals the cultural biases that permeate MAGA types.
Empire is filmed in Chicago; since its debut in 2015, the show has received critical praise. While viewership has dropped, its first two seasons were hugely popular—it was the fifth most-watched show on television in those first two seasons.
Smollett plays the son of the two main characters, Lucious and Cookie Lyon, and is himself a major character on the show.
The FBI is investigating a suspicious letter also sent to Fox about Smollett, containing threatening, racist language, and a white powdery substance, according to the Sun-Times.
The Daily Dot reached out to Chicago police for an update but did not receive a response by press time.
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