The Chicago prosecutors dropped all charges against actor Jussie Smollett today, sending right-wing media into an apocalyptic meltdown.
Earlier this year, Smollett was indicted on 16 felony counts of disorderly conduct for allegedly filing a false police report with Chicago police about being the subject of an anti-LGBTQ and racist hate crime. At the time, he claimed he was attacked by two disguised men who yelled slurs at him. Throughout the process, Smollett and his attorneys maintained his innocence. Today, Smollett’s attorneys announced that all criminal charges against Smollett “were dropped and his record has been wiped clean.” Prosecutors said that after reviewing facts of the case “including 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.”
Upon news that charges against Smollett had been dropped, conservative media—which had spent January smearing Smollett and demanding harsh punishment against him—melted down in anger.
Kaya Jones, a vocalist and a pro-Trump activist, demanded that Smollett be “held for his hate crime!”
Jessie Smollett free and clear of all changes. Another attack on the American people and the entertainment industry who support our President. He needs to be held for his hate crime!
— Kaya Jones (@KayaJones) March 26, 2019
Turning Point USA president Charlie Kirk asserted that the case was an example of “Democrat privilege.”
You ever hear of Democrat privilege?
It means you can commit crimes without going to jail & do anything without consequences
Like Keith Ellison beating his girlfriend
Like Hillary selling out America for cash
Like Kerry violating Logan act
Like Comey lying under oath
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) March 26, 2019
Mike Cernovich claimed the case was proof there “isn’t any rule of law” in Chicago and that Cook County was “all about targeted prosecutions and non-prosecutions.”
Friends,
I told you what would happen in the Jussie Smollett case.
Cook County is like D.C.
There isn’t any rule of law there.
It’s all about targeted prosecutions and non-prosecutions. pic.twitter.com/8dXPtTg0Cn
— Mike Cernovich (@Cernovich) March 26, 2019
BlazeTV personality Steven Crowder declared that Smollett was “still a piece of sh*t.”
PSA: Just because you’ve had criminal charges against you dropped doesn’t mean you aren’t still a piece of sh*t.
WHAT A PIECE OF SH*T: Jussie Smollett
Watch now==> https://t.co/3gzB43itgJ— Steven Crowder (@scrowder) March 26, 2019
Conservative comedian Tim Young alleged that if Smollett had “been a conservative and the roles were reversed, Chicago would lock him away for 40 years.”
GTFO: So Jussie Smollett is getting a pass for being a liberal… I mean.. cough.. “his work in the community.”
Had he been a conservative and the roles were reversed, Chicago would lock him away for 40 years.
I guess he’ll be hitting the campaign trail with Kamala next week.
— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) March 26, 2019
YouTube white nationalist pundit Stefan Molyneux claimed the case debunked the notion of “white 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
Conservative talk show host Steve Deace echoed a similar sentiment.
#WhitePrivilege https://t.co/HUOwLeNcYk
— Steve Deace (@SteveDeaceShow) March 26, 2019
One America News correspondent Jack Posobiec claimed that Smollett’s case was a “perfect example of how our justice system is broken.”
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
YourVoice America host Bill Mitchell put it bluntly: “HOW THE HELL IS THIS POSSIBLE?”
HOW THE HELL IS THIS POSSIBLE? 16 FELONY COUNTS “WIPED CLEAN?!!! – NOW THAT IS PRIVILEGE FOLKS! Jussie Smollett’s attorneys say all criminal charges dropped https://t.co/GSPZMD4fX8
— Bill Mitchell (@mitchellvii) March 26, 2019
Ben Shapiro wrote that dropping charges against Smollett was “a pure political calculation by Cook County.”
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
