Police sources believe that Empire star Jussie Smollett staged his racially motivated attack at the end of January. Smollett claimed that he had been jumped by two men in Chicago who were "yelling out racial and homophobic slurs." The actor also claimed that they were using slogans from Donald Trump supporters and then said that one of the two men put a noose around his neck while the other threw bleach on him. The world was stunned to learn about the attack, but the two suspects were released earlier this week without any charges.

The two suspects in the alleged attack against Jussie Smollett, who came out as gay in 2015, are said to be fully cooperating with law enforcement. They were released after police say that they found "new evidence." Sources with knowledge of the case say that the Chicago Police believe that Smollett paid the two men to orchestrate the attack. Smollett and his attorney deny this claim and have released a statement, which you can read below.

"As a victim of a hate crime who has cooperated with the police investigation, Jussie Smollett is angered and devastated by recent reports that the perpetrators are individuals he is familiar with. He has now been further victimized by claims attributed to these alleged perpetrators that Jussie played a role in his own attack. Nothing is further from the truth and anyone claiming otherwise is lying."

Jussie Smollett has publicly denied the claims that he orchestrated his own attack. However, one of the men who led the alleged attack against the Empire actor appeared on the show. According to sources, police believe that both men had a "previous affiliation with Smollett," but did not provide additional details. Police are going through the new evidence that they have received and expect to be finished with their report soon.

When that alleged attack occurred, the entertainment industry and fans from all over rallied behind Jussie Smollett. The crime was horrifying and people could not believe that this had happened to the Empire actor. However, with these latest developments, many are turning against the actor, claiming that he is a liar. When discussing those doubting him, Smollett became annoyed and angry. He explains.

"It feels like if I had said it was a Muslim or a Mexican or someone black I feel like the doubters would have supported me a lot much more. And that says a lot about the place where we are as a country right now."

When asked about the Donald Trump-themed "MAGA (Make America Great Again) country" remark that the two men allegedly yelled at him, Jussie Smollett denied that he had told police that. However, interviews with police show that he did include the "MAGA country" remark to them, which is something else that has put a spotlight on the actor's claims. Something fishy is definitely going on, but it should all be straightened out soon. The Jussie Smollett news was first reported by CNN.