Jussie Smollett's excuse for 'fake attack' sets social media on fire

22 February 2019 - 08:24
By Chrizelda Kekana
Actor Jussie Smollet has been arrested for allegedly lying to the police about his assault.
Image: FREDERIC J. BROWN / AFP Actor Jussie Smollet has been arrested for allegedly lying to the police about his assault.

Reports that Empire actor Jussie Smollett allegedly staged an attack on himself because he was "dissatisfied with his salary" has added fuel to an already raging fire on social media. 

The actor topped worldwide Twitter trends list once again on Thursday night as people shared their different theories of the story behind the story of the bizarre 'fake attack'.

"(The suspect) took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career”, Chicago police superintendent Eddie Johnson said as reported by The Guardian.

The internet has been a mess since Chicago police announced that the actor was arrested for allegedly orchestrating the attack he claimed was homophobic and racist courtesy of Maga supporters.

Since January 29, which was when Jussie first made the damning claims the story has taken a dramatic twist. Jussie has since been charged with a class four felony for falsifying a police report, handed himself over to the police to be arrested and posted $100,000 bail. 

The Guardian reported that the actor also had to surrender his passport and that he's kept mum since the walls came crashing down around him.

Jussie's lawyers issued a statement saying the actor “enjoys the presumption of innocence”.

While Jussie has been the subject of much debate on social media, on Thursday he had the attention of US president Donald Trump. Donald asked him if he considered the insults MAGA supporters have had to endure since his allegations made the news.

Meanwhile, the conspiracy theorists are working overtime on Twitter.