5 years ago, the mainstream media fell for Jussie Smollett’s hate crime hoax
‘Absolutely despicable’
Never Forget: The Infamous Jussie Smollett Hate Crime Hoax
On Jan. 29, 2019—exactly five years ago today—an actor most people had never heard of until that day, Jussie Smollett, claimed he was the victim of a racist and homophobic hate crime perpetrated by two white Donald Trump supporters roaming the streets of Chicago at 2 a.m. in below-freezing conditions.
We must never forget how eagerly the mainstream media accepted Smollett’s patently absurd claim that two Trump supporters even knew who he was, much less that they would go to such extreme lengths to track him down, beat him up, and put a noose around his neck. Democratic politicians and liberal celebrities were just as credulous. Vice President Kamala Harris called the alleged attack “a modern day lynching.” Celebrity host Andy Cohen wrote: “THIS IS FUCKED UP TO THE CORE. CATCH THESE EVIL HOMOPHOBES AND LOCK THEM UP FOREVER.“
NEVER FORGET: All the Libs Who Fell for the Jussie Smollett Hate Crime Hoax
Those two white Trump supporters turned out to be two Nigerian brothers in red MAGA hats who told police Smollett paid them—in the form of a traceable check for $3,500—to stage the hate crime. Chicago police superintendent Eddie Johnson slammed the actor for exploiting the “pain and anger of racism to promote his career.”
Attempts to prosecute Smollett for lying to police about the hate crime he committed against himself were initially derailed due to the intervention of Michelle Obama’s former chief of staff, but Smollett was eventually convicted on multiple counts of disorderly conduct in December 2021 and sentenced to 150 days in jail.
“You’re not a victim of a racial hate crime, you’re not a victim of a homophobic hate crime,” Cook County judge James Linn told Smollett during sentencing. “You’re just a charlatan pretending to be a victim of a hate crime, and that’s shameful.”
Smollett, who has been free on bond since March 2022 while his attorneys appealed his conviction, may finally be headed to jail after an Illinois appeals court upheld his conviction late last year. He continues to maintain his innocence. “If I had done this, I’d be a piece of shit,” Smollett said.
How did the media’s rush to report the Smollett hoax undermine its credibility?
Smollett Hoax
However, it soon became apparent that Smollett’s story was too outlandish to be true. As the investigation progressed, evidence started to emerge that pointed towards a different narrative. It was revealed that Smollett had orchestrated the entire incident, paying two acquaintances to stage the attack in order to gain sympathy and further his career.
The media, in their rush to report a sensational hate crime story, failed to thoroughly investigate the details and verify the facts. They immediately jumped to conclusions and portrayed Smollett as a victim without any critical analysis. This highlights the dangerous trend of media bias and the willingness to promote a narrative at the expense of truth and accuracy.
Smollett’s hoax not only undermined the credibility of the mainstream media, but it also had serious implications for real victims of hate crimes. By fabricating an incident, Smollett not only wasted valuable police resources but also created a false narrative that detracted from legitimate cases of discrimination and violence.
The Fallout
Once the truth came to light, the media scrambled to distance themselves from Smollett and the false narrative they had helped perpetuate. Many outlets quietly retracted their initial reports, but the damage had already been done.
Smollett was eventually charged with multiple counts of disorderly conduct and filing a false police report. However, in a surprising turn of events, these charges were later dropped by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. This decision caused outrage and further eroded public trust in the justice system.
Lessons Learned
The Jussie Smollett hoax serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible journalism and the need for thorough fact-checking. It is the duty of the media to report the truth and provide accurate information to the public. Rushing to judgment and spreading false narratives not only damages their own credibility but also undermines the trust that the public has in the media.
Furthermore, this incident highlights the danger of perpetuating victimhood culture and the tendency to believe stories that align with preconceived notions. It is crucial to approach every news story with skepticism and to question the motives behind the narrative being presented.
The Media’s Role
The media plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion and influencing the national discourse. It is imperative that they uphold the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in their reporting. The Smollett hoax serves as a clear example of the consequences of failing to do so.
As consumers of news, it is our responsibility to hold the media accountable. We must demand transparency, fact-checking, and unbiased reporting. The Smollett hoax should serve as a wake-up call for the media to reevaluate their practices and regain the trust of the public.
While it has been five years since the infamous Jussie Smollett hate crime hoax, the lessons learned from this incident remain just as relevant today. We cannot afford to forget the dangers of irresponsible reporting and the potential harm it can cause.
