Jussie Smollett says those doubting his alleged assault 'don't even want to see the truth'
Actor Jussie Smollett is speaking out in his first TV interview since he was the victim of an attack police have been investigating as a possible hate crime.
Smollett told Good Morning America on Thursday that he is "forever changed" after two men allegedly beat him while shouting racial and homophobic slurs. The Empire star says this occurred while he was leaving a Subway in Chicago late at night and that the attackers yelled, "This is MAGA country."
Some had called his account into question in recent weeks, seizing on certain details such as Smollett not wanting to hand over his phone to police, although he did give over redacted records, and police have said he has been cooperative and that his account is consistent and credible. Smollett told Good Morning America that he wanted to protect his privacy and the privacy of his friends and family by not giving over his phone. He also said that he was taken aback by people doubting his account of what happened.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"It's not necessarily that you don't believe that this is the truth," he said. "You don't even want to see the truth."
Smollett, who said he's "pissed off" by these people who claim he's lying, also speculated that no one would doubt his story if the men who attacked him were Muslim, Mexican, or black. This "says a lot about the place that we are in our country," he added. Watch a portion of Smollett's interview below. Brendan Morrow
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Houston travel guide: the energy capital of the world
The Week Recommends There's much more to the Texas city than you might think – and plenty of places to refuel and refresh yourself
By Neil Davey Published
-
Best staycation destinations in Wales
The Week recommends Rich in Celtic culture, coastline and castles, England's neighbouring nation has much to offer visitors
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
The importance of discussing and dealing with debt
The Explainer Increasing numbers of people have 'problem debt' – but there are ways to tackle it
By Marc Shoffman, The Week UK Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
More than 2,000 dead following massive earthquake in Morocco
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mexico's next president will almost certainly be its 1st female president
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
North Korea's Kim to visit Putin in eastern Russia to discuss arms sales for Ukraine war, U.S. says
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Gabon's military leader sworn in following coup in latest African uprising
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published