CNN Treats Jussie Smollett With Kid Gloves After He Becomes A Suspect

The Daily Caller ^ | 02/21/2019 | Amber Athey

[detective]

“Empire” star Jussie Smollett is now officially a suspect in his own hate crime, but anchors and pundits on CNN are still making excuses for the actor’s alleged behavior.

Smollett claimed last month in a TMZ report that he was attacked in Chicago by two white men who called him racial and homophobic slurs, put a noose around his neck, poured bleach on him, and shouted, “This is MAGA country!” After a long investigation into the alleged incident, Chicago police officially classified Smollett as a suspect Wednesday night for filing a false police report.

While politicians who spoke out about the alleged hate crime raced to amend their statements, talking heads on CNN were still questioning if Smollett was truly to blame for his behavior.

Anchor Don Lemon, who said he identified with Smollett because he is also black and gay, was initially quite tough on the alleged hoaxer during his show Wednesday evening. However, Lemon also questioned if it was Smollett’s “fault” that he lied about the attack during an interview with “Good Morning America.”

“In the court of public opinion, Jussie has lost. He’s lost the fight in the court of public opinion, and that’s where his battle is,” Lemon said. “He lost that because of how — not his fault — people were, I don’t what they were saying to him. Maybe because of his representatives, who knows.”

[detective]

"Keith Boykin, former aide to Bill Clinton, declined to opine on Smollett himself, but gave a pass to people who automatically believed the actor’s story, claiming that it fits the “climate” of the United States."

The fake news liars in the media and CNN in particular are still defending Smollett.

"It's not his fault" they say.

[Tench_Coxe]

I want to know what he was trying to hide on his phone.

[Revel]

I do believe that Jussie was recruited to perform these actions in part for the purpose garnering support for the lynching bill. This leads very high up.

[easternsky]

I agree with that for sure

[Steely Tom]

"Keith Boykin, former aide to Bill Clinton, declined to opine on Smollett himself, but gave a pass to people who automatically believed the actor’s story, claiming that it fits the “climate” of the United States."

Sounds like a focus-group tested excuse.

[Jeff Chandler]

it fits the “climate” of the United States.

Then I guess the U.S. is in need of some climate change.

[cld51860]

Calls to/from Kamala Harris?

[Mr. K]

HAVE THEY APOLOGIZED TO TRUMP SUPPORTERS YET?

THAT’S WHO HE (AND THEY) BLAMED

[carmen2017]

Andy Coopers Left hand man. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.

[carmen2017]

Andy Coopers Left hand man. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.

[Tallguy]

“Lemon also questioned if it was Smollett’s “fault” that he lied about the attack during an interview with “Good Morning America.”

This isn’t up for debate, Don Lemmon.
Smollett is responsible for his actions. Unless you are making the argument that being Black or Gay means you don’t have any personal responsibility for being truthful.

[trebb]

However, Lemon also questioned if it was Smollett’s “fault” that he lied about the attack during an interview with “Good Morning America.”

Ummm - there was no attack to lie about - he created the whole lie to further his career...who does Lemon think is at fault?