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. 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 — Kaz Weida (@kazweida) March 26, 2019 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? 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. — Ernest Owens (@MrErnestOwens) March 26, 2019 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? OH that’s right, bc this is corrupt Chicago politics at its worst. Jussie is a rich Democrat & that’s why he got off. — Liz Wheeler (@Liz_Wheeler) March 26, 2019 Jussie Smollett’s attorney just said on live TV “We have nothing to say to the police” This was a back room deal, folks. — Kambree Kawahine Koa (@KamVTV) March 26, 2019 Gay✔️ Black ✔️ Liberal ✔️ Celebrity ✔️ Anti-Trump ✔️ = Too many social justice warrior points for Jussie Smollett to be held accountable for his crimes. — Mark Dice (@MarkDice) March 26, 2019 » 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 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 — Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) March 26, 2019 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. Here is the silver lining: It finally proves that “white privilege” is a racist lie. https://t.co/zOJx2OoOP9 — Stefan Molyneux (@StefanMolyneux) March 26, 2019 All 16 felony charges against Jussie Smollett have been dropped. Now THAT'S some privilege. #ChicagoPolitics — Alana Mastrangelo (@ARmastrangelo) March 26, 2019 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. Or a big payoff. Or both. — HikerDog🐕 (@HikerDogDuo) March 26, 2019 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 » RELATED: 'Empire' reportedly cuts Jussie Smollett scenes as police further investigate the actor's alleged attack MORE: AJC interview with Jussie Smollett<doc-sep>At this point, with all of the evidence that the media has presented against Jussie Smollett, it's hard to believe that his attack was not staged. However, a shocking twist occurred this morning when all of the charges were dropped against him. For so many charges to be mysteriously put on the side makes little sense unless there was inconclusive evidence in the case. While the majority of us are still confused as to how Jussie won't be punished at all for allegedly orchestrating an attack on himself, others have already moved on to trashing him on social media. Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images After it was announced that Smollett would not be serving any jail time for the bizarre hate crime against himself, people started reacting online and most of the first impressions were negative. There has been a mix of people trashing the Chicago Police Department for their decision to let him go and others going straight after the Empire actor. Regardless of the outcome of the case, it's hard to believe that Jussie can reintegrate himself as a successful actor. Public perception isn't exactly too strong for him right now so perhaps a little break could be beneficial. Take a look at some of the most provocative reactions to Smollett's charges being dropped below and let us know what your first thought was after you found out. Do you think Smollett will ever be able to fully repair his reputation? [via]<doc-sep>In a stunning change of events, prosecutors dropped all charges (16 counts of disorderly conduct) against "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett on Tuesday -- five weeks after he was accused of filing a false police report under the circumstances he was brutally attacked during a hate crime in Chicago. The unexpected outcome has garnered mixed emotions on Twitter, receiving praise from the likes of Questlove who Tweeted "TOLD YALL," and irritation on the contrary from Donald Trump Jr. "BREAKING: @CNN President Jeff Zucker announces his personal propaganda czar @BrianStelterhas been promoted to director of rapid response for Jussie Smollett. This comes just days after being reassigned from the Russia hoax desk. Congrats, Brian!," the eldest son of POTUS sarcastically wrote. BREAKING: @CNN President Jeff Zucker announces his personal propaganda czar @BrianStelter has been promoted to director of rapid response for Jussie Smollett. This comes just days after being reassigned from the Russia hoax desk. Congrats, Brian! https://t.co/ePHUw8SXd4 — Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) March 26, 2019 Smollett gave a statement earlier on Tuesday in front of the Chicago courthouse claiming he has been "truthful on every level from day one." “This has been an incredibly difficult time. Honestly one of the worst of my entire life. But I am a man of faith and I am a man that has knowledge of my history and I would not bring my family, our lives or the movement through a fire like this. I just wouldn’t," the actor said. Read the complete statement here.<doc-sep>
Conservative media reacted with shock and surprise on social media following the bombshell news out of Chicago that charges against "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett was dropped. Prosecutors dropped charges against the 36-year-old performer and activist, which included disorderly conduct for allegedly filing a false report after he informed Chicago police he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack in January. "After reviewing all of the facts and circumstances of the case, including Mr. Smollet’s volunteer service in the community and agreement to forfeit his bond to the City of Chicago, we believe this outcome is a just disposition and appropriate resolution to this case," the Cook County State's Attorney's Office told The Hill's "In the Know" in a statement. "We standby the Chicago Police Department’s investigation and our decision to approve charges in this case," the statement continued. The reaction on Twitter ranged from suspicion of the sudden decision to drop the charges to astonishment. Smollett's attorney acknowledges that the brothers attacked him, but maintains that the city of Chicago's charges against him are false?? — Saagar Enjeti (@esaagar) March 26, 2019 All 16 felony charges against Jussie Smollett have been dropped. Now THAT'S some privilege. #ChicagoPolitics — Alana Mastrangelo (@ARmastrangelo) March 26, 2019 Smollett staged a hate crime yet still has a job. Northam wore blackface and advocated infanticide yet still has a job. Fairfax was credibly accused of rape by two women yet still has a job. Don't tell me about privilege. No one is more privileged in modern America than a leftist — Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) February 22, 2019 I feel sorry for the people today who are FURIOUS that our President wasn't found to be a russian agent and HAPPY that Jussie Smollett, who staged a fake hate crime to attempt to racially divide this country won't be punished. — Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) March 26, 2019 Smollett's lawyer said today that the two Nigerian brothers were the ones who attacked him. Smollett originally claimed the two people who attacked him are white. Astonishing privilege for Smollett to get out of these charges. — Amber Athey (@amber_athey) March 26, 2019 If you don’t punish fake hate crime claims, you’ll get more fake hate crime claims. Trump-directed/collusion snark about ‘exoneration’ is ridiculous. We have tons of hard evidence establishing Smollett’s guilt—from co-conspirator confessions, to video footage, to signed checks. — Guy Benson (@guypbenson) March 26, 2019 Breaking: I have a statement from @BridgetPhetasy on the Jussie Smollett situation. In reaction to the news, Ms. Phetasy said, "This just proves you can get away with anything in America if you are famous-- and this is exactly why I want to be famous." — Carol Roth (@caroljsroth) March 26, 2019 This is leftist privilege in action. If this whole thing had been perpetrated by a couple of MAGA dudes they’d be going to prison for 35-45 years. Jussie Smollett is getting off with community service and forfeiting his bond to the City of Chicago. Absolutely sickening. https://t.co/8GwJqp35cA — Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) March 26, 2019 Letting Smollett off the hook is a pure political calculation by Cook County. It is indeed that simple. The facts are in public view. — Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) March 26, 2019 Smollett originally claimed he was attacked in the early morning of Jan. 29 on a street near his apartment in Chicago. Smollett says the alleged attackers yelled "This is MAGA country!" while pouring an unknown chemical substance on Smollett and attempting to tie a rope around his neck. He was indicted six weeks later on March 8 on 16 felony counts by a Cook County grand jury after police said he lied about the attack.