‘Empire’ Star Jussie Smollett Attacked by Masked MAGA Supporters in Reported Hate Crime

Jussie Smollett, the 36-year-old star of FOX’s Empire, was reportedly the victim of a racist, homophobic attack by two masked assailants late last night (January 28) in Chicago.

According to TMZ is reporting that it was bleach.) “At some point during the incident,” the report goes on, “one of the offenders wrapped a rope around [Smollett’s] neck.”

According to the TMZ report, the attack occurred after Smollett made a  2:00 am trip to Subway after flying in from New York Monday night. The beating reportedly fractured a rib, though the CPD report says that Smollett was able to take himself to Northwestern Hospital and is currently in “good condition.”

TMZ is also reporting that the assailants were hurling racist and homophobic language at him, as well as screaming “This is MAGA country!” The CPD report says they are treating the incident as a possible hate crime.

Smollett has played Jamal Lyon on Empire since the show debuted in 2015. He publicly came out as a gay man on Ellen in March of that year.