Here’s what Twitter had to say after all charges were dropped against Jussie Smollett
On Tuesday, authorities dropped the charges against actor Jussie Smollett, who was accused of faking a racist, homophobic attack. And Twitter had a lot to say about the latest developments.
In January, the "Empire" actor told police he was confronted in Chicago in the early morning hours of Jan. 29 by a pair of men who yelled racial and homophobic slurs at him, hit him in the face, poured an unknown substance on him and wrapped a rope around his neck.
Officers later arrested Smollett on several counts of disorderly conduct in falsifying a police report, but all charges were dropped after the Cook County State's Attorney's office reviewed the facts and circumstances of the case, including the star's good standing and community service.
The state made a legal decision to seal the records, and Smollett’s record was wiped clean.
When news about the case was announced, people took to Twitter to share their thoughts. Many said they were “confused” and wanted more information.
Confused yet? Yeah, me too.
— Kaz Weida (@kazweida) March 26, 2019
Chicago police had to have done something very very wrong in how they handled Jussie Smollett’s case in order for prosecutors to simply drop it. https://t.co/gls8Usv8f6
I just want to know what actually happened. https://t.co/jrqpKXSMkJ
— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) March 26, 2019
So why did Jussie Smollett agree to forfeit a $10,000 bond for charges that's completely dropped?
— Ernest Owens (@MrErnestOwens) March 26, 2019
Why would they seal the entire case for the public to hold either him or Chicago Police Department accountable?
What about those two Nigerian men who accused him?
I'm confused.
A few made other speculations about why the charges against him were dropped. Some even said he made a “back room deal.”
Patricia Holmes, Smollett’s attorney, later clarified the charges being dropped is “not part of a deferred prosecution” and there “is no deal.”
Since prosecutors dropped charges against Jussie Smollett, does that mean police will investigate who attacked him? Or charge the two brothers? If not, why not?
— Liz Wheeler (@Liz_Wheeler) March 26, 2019
OH that’s right, bc this is corrupt Chicago politics at its worst.
Jussie is a rich Democrat & that’s why he got off.
Jussie Smollett’s attorney just said on live TV “We have nothing to say to the police”
— Kambree Kawahine Koa (@KamVTV) March 26, 2019
This was a back room deal, folks.
Gay✔️
— Mark Dice (@MarkDice) March 26, 2019
Black ✔️
Liberal ✔️
Celebrity ✔️
Anti-Trump ✔️
= Too many social justice warrior points for Jussie Smollett to be held accountable for his crimes.
» RELATED: 7 things to know about Jussie Smollett
Many said they still didn’t believe Smollett, and the case is the “perfect example of how our justice system is broken.” They believed the actor had not been held accountable and the resolution was “a slap in the face to real victims of real hate crimes.”
Letting Jussie Smollett off the hook is a slap in the face to real victims of real hate crimes, as well as to the Chicago Police Department. This was not a victimless crime.
— Kat Timpf (@KatTimpf) March 26, 2019
Jussie Smollett is perfect example of how our justice system is broken
— Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) March 26, 2019
You can be a Democrat and get away with anything
But if you're a Republican you get 29 FBI agents at your front door for sending an email about Hillary Clinton
Can you name a single person on planet earth who actually believes Jussie Smollett didn’t fake the whole thing?
— Mark Dice (@MarkDice) March 26, 2019
The latest developments also sparked a debate about privilege.
Jussie Smollett walks.
— Stefan Molyneux (@StefanMolyneux) March 26, 2019
Here is the silver lining:
It finally proves that “white privilege” is a racist lie. https://t.co/zOJx2OoOP9
All 16 felony charges against Jussie Smollett have been dropped.
— Alana Mastrangelo (@ARmastrangelo) March 26, 2019
Now THAT'S some privilege. #ChicagoPolitics
Jussie Smollett proves no specific race is exclusive to privilege. No, privilege happens when you have connections and money. A lot of it.
— Britt McHenry (@BrittMcHenry) March 26, 2019
Looks like Jussie Smollett has benefited from a big dose of black privilege.
— HikerDog🐕 (@HikerDogDuo) March 26, 2019
Or a big payoff.
Or both.
On the other hand, folks accused the Chicago Police Department of fabricating lies, calling the department “corrupt.”
Wow it's almost like CPD is just a lie factory who put together a hit squad against a Black man who spoke out against hate. Weird, that.https://t.co/ZPvtgKDTA2
— Emily G (@EmilyGorcenski) March 26, 2019
It was disheartening to see so many people jump at trusting the Chicago Police Department and its process over Jussie Smollett. The details were messy on both sides, but the CPD has been a corrupted force for a long time. https://t.co/4puS41WJlP
— Raquel Willis (@RaquelWillis_) March 26, 2019
Imagine rushing to believe the Chicago police 🥴 https://t.co/swq0ouoaq9
— Johnetta Elzie (@Nettaaaaaaaa) March 26, 2019
Is someone going to be filing charges against the Chicago Police Department for how poorly they managed every aspect of the #JussieSmollett “investigation”?
— deray (@deray) March 26, 2019
And a couple reflected on Smollett’s legacy and said he may never be able to recover from the scandal.
To be clear, #JussieSmollett may never recover from this scandal though he won't face prison time. The Chicago Police Department achieved its aim of having the court of public opinion doubt him and prominent voices in our community side with them. Now they get to just walk away.
— Dana (@DanaVivianWhite) March 26, 2019
So Jussie Smollett is innocent? A brother will never recover from the emotional and internet troll abuse he got 😭#JussieSmollett
— OLWETHU MTATI (@OLWETHU_MTATI) March 26, 2019
MORE: AJC interview with Jussie Smollett
About the Author
Najja Parker is a multimedia journalist covering Black culture for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She is an engaging on-air talent, who has served as a host for the newsroom’s special projects and events, such as the movie premiere of “The South Got Something To Say,” a documentary chronicling the rise of Atlanta hip-hop.
