Twitter outraged after charges dropped against Jussie Smollett

Twitter outraged after charges dropped against Jussie Smollett
Jussie Smollett, second from right, with the cast of “Empire.” Photo credit: Fox

Twitter and Facebook exploded simultaneously the moment the news hit that all the 16 felony charges against “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett had been dropped.

Using judge-speak, Smollett is now free to go. Jaws are agape across the county.


Smollett, 36, will not do any jail or prison time for allegedly staging a racial beatdown in Chicago in January. Smollett alleged that the perpetrators yelled, “This is MAGA country” and used racist and homophobic slurs while attacking him. The reference to MAGA led many to assume the attackers were White Donald Trump supporters.

According to TMZ and CNN and a host of outlets, Smollett will be required to perform community service and forfeit his $10K bond, but will not face jail. This seems to many social media users that Smollett was deemed guilty of committing a crime but is escaping deserved punishment.


However, as detailed below by the district attorney’s, their case disintegrated. Contrary to the claims by Chicago Police Department Commissioner Eddie Johnson, the FBI could not determine conclusively if the hate letters mailed to Smollett were sent by the actor. And it could not be proved beyond a doubt that the $3,500 check written to the two Nigerian brothers was for a fake attack or to provide a workout plan for Smollett.

For these reasons and more, the district attorney came to the following conclusion:

Predictably, Smollett’s real family and “Empire” family rejoiced at the news.

“This morning truth has prevailed and [Jussie] has been vindicated,” the Smollett family said in a statement obtained by TMZ.

“While many were quick to rush to judgment before hearing the actual truth, we are grateful that the truth about Jussie has come to light. We look forward to bringing the real perpetrators to justice.”

Many social media users are picking themselves up after being blown back by the shocking turn of events. Some, like these two Twitter users below, criticized the Cook County State’s Attorney’s decision not to prosecute Smollett — while simultaneously wondering if the police and prosecutors will try to find out what really happened and who committed a crime:

https://twitter.com/cameron_kasky/status/1110567614890328064

Some users openly wondered if Donald Trump and the Chicago police commissioner will apologize to Smollett for besmirching his name publicly for allegedly staging a racist beatdown:

Still, others believe the notoriously corrupt Democratic machine in Chicago interfered with the judicial process and scooped Smollett from the jaws of jail. Check out a sampling of the outrage that has gripped Twitter and other social media platforms:

https://twitter.com/cameron_kasky/status/1110567614890328064

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