Jussie Smollett was found guilty of five counts of felonious disorderly misconduct in Chicago on Thursday. He was accused of creating a hate crime in January 2019. Democratic presidential hopefuls were quick to express sympathy for him, claiming that he was their victim.
Washington Post correspondent Dave Weigel pointed this out earlier Thursday. In advance of the verdict, “every major 2020 Dem, not Buttigieg, rushed to comment credulously on the Jussie Mollett hoax.”
Some examples were as follows:
What happened today to @JussieSmollett must never be tolerated in this country. We must stand up and demand that we no longer give this hate safe harbor; that homophobia and racism have no place on our streets or in our hearts. We are with you, Jussie. https://t.co/o8ilPu68CM
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) January 30, 2019
.@JussieSmollett is one of the kindest, most gentle human beings I know. I’m praying for his quick recovery.
This was an attempted modern day lynching. No one should have to fear for their life because of their sexuality or color of their skin. We must confront this hate.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) January 29, 2019
The racist and homophobic attack on Jussie Smollett is a horrific instance of the surging hostility toward minorities around the country. We must come together to eradicate all forms of bigotry and violence. https://t.co/2accVEJrCG
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) January 29, 2019
Racism, homophobia, & all forms of bigotry & hate have no place in this country. The fight for equality isn’t over – no one should have to live in fear of being beaten on the street because of who they are. https://t.co/CF0G95CkTc
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) January 29, 2019
The vicious attack on actor Jussie Smollett was an attempted modern-day lynching. I'm glad he's safe.
To those in Congress who don't feel the urgency to pass our Anti-Lynching bill designating lynching as a federal hate crime– I urge you to pay attention. https://t.co/EwXFxl5f2m
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) January 29, 2019
Smollett was portrayed by the media as the victim in a hate crime committed by Chicago MAGA-hat-wearing Trump supporters. He happened to be walking by on one of the coldest nights ever recorded.
Smollett blamed Trump supporters for his crimes. His story was believed by the same media that promoted many anti-Trump hoaxes, including the Russia collusion hoax. This would be discredited upon investigation.