Thursday morning, (Feb. 21) Jussie Smollett turned himself into police after evidence proved the hate crime, in which he alleged to have been beaten by two MAGA hat wearing men as they hurled racial and homophobic slurs at him, was a lie.
After weeks of gaining support from some of entertainment’s biggest names, news of Smollett’s orchestrated attack disappointed many. The Breakfast Club co-host Charlamagne Tha God took Smollett to task and dubbed the Empire actor “Donkey of The Day” for his lies and deceit despite admitting he had doubts from the beginning.
“I gave him the benefit of the doubt because he’s a black man and why wouldn’t I believe a black man who tells me he’s been the victim of a hate crime? Why wouldn’t I believe a gay man who tells me he’s the victim of hate crime?” the ShookOne author said.
Throughout the roast, Charlamagne played clips of Jussie speaking from index cards during his Los Angeles show shortly after the alleged attack, and his sit down with Robin Roberts. However, Charlamagne said Jussie dropped clues about his lie during both public appearances.
“We all should’ve known Jussie Lyon was lying when he went on Good Morning America and was more upset people didn’t believe him, rather than him being upset about the crime that allegedly happened to him,” he said.
Charlamagne sums up Smollett’s actions simply on his desire not just for attention, but to also be a martyr.
“Now I know, the magic question everyone is asking is why? Why would he make something like this up? He wanted to be the gay Tupac. Jussie Lyon wanted to be a martyr,” Charlamagne said.
“He wanted to be a symbol of someone who stood up against hate in America. He wanted the same admiration you see Kaepernick getting for taking a knee for black people. He wanted the attention that Meek is getting for standing for the rights of those in prison. Jussie Lyon wanted to be the gay Tupac.”
