The alleged attack on “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett is “horrible,” President Trump said Thursday.
“That, I can tell you, is horrible. I’ve seen it, last night. I think that’s horrible,” the president told reporters during an event at the White House. “It doesn’t get worse, as far as I’m concerned.”
Chicago police are investigating the attack against Smollett as a possible hate crime. Smollett, who is black and gay, told police that on Tuesday morning, two white men beat him, poured bleach on him, and yelled racial and homophobic slurs. One of the suspects wrapped a rope around his neck, Smollett said.
He was taken to the hospital after the attack.
Following the incident, Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., blamed Trump and accused him of stoking racial animus.
“I’m pleased that he’s doing OK. But we have to understand this is happening for a reason. Why all of a sudden do we have people unable to study while black, unable to mow a lawn while black, unable to have a picnic while black, and being attacked?” Waters told The Grio in an interview. “It’s coming from the president of the United States. He’s dog whistling every day. He’s separating and dividing, and he is basically emboldening those folks who feel this way.”
