Stephen Colbert and Trevor Noah try to make sense of Jussie Smollett's bizarre escape from prosecution

Trevor Noah and Stephen Colbert on Jussie Smollett

(Image credit: Screenshots/YouTube/The Daily Show, The Late Show)

Prosecutors in Chicago on Tuesday dropped their fake-hate-crime case against Empire actor Jussie Smollett, and everyone's confused. At this point, "no one is exactly sure what happened or why it happened," Stephen Colbert shrugged on The Late Show. Smollett "said it was a hate crime, and I believe it, because I hate talking about this story. Smollett has maintained that he is a victim and said that today's decision vindicates him, but other people," like Chicago's police superintendent and mayor, "are not so sure."

Letting Smollett walk free "is wrong," Colbert said. "But on the other hand, isn't it a hopeful sign for America that regardless of your race or sexual orientation, all rich, famous people get off easily?"

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"A month ago, the Empire actor was attacked by two Trump supporters who turned out to be Nigerian weightlifters who turned out to be American brothers," Trevor Noah recapped on The Daily Show. "But now the story is getting weird." Prosecutors say Smollett has agreed to community service and a financial penalty but insist they aren't exonerating him. "Okay, wait," Noah aid. "So Jussie was set free, but he's not innocent, but he's also not guilty. What? We need someone to figure this out. Mueller, we've got a new case for you! And this time, just tell us what happened!"

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"The Chicago police are furious about this," Noah said. "And I'll be honest with you, I think it's pretty hilarious to see Chicago cops on the other side of a case gone wrong for once. Yeah, they're like, 'If only he had a body-cam. All black people should have body cams!' So that's where we are right now, the weirdest news story in America. I feel like in a week, we're going to turn on CNN and find out Smollett is now dating Mike Pence after they met at an R. Kelly concert." Watch below. Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.