When asked about the incident, Trump responded,
“I can tell you that is horrible.”
“It doesn’t get worse, as far as I’m concerned,” he added.
@realDonaldTrump responded to the alleged attack on @JussieSmollett saying “I can tell you that is horrible. It doesn’t get worse.”
— AprilDRyan (@AprilDRyan) January 31, 2019
Smollett, who is one of the few openly gay Black actors in Hollywood, was attacked in Chicago around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday by two people who called him racial and homophobic slurs before pouring an unknown chemical substance on him and wrapping a rope around his neck.
The men fled the scene before police arrived.
Police are investigating the incident as a potential hate crime.
Smollett told investigators that as they wrapped the noose around his neck, the assailants yelled,
“This is MAGA country,” the Tribune reported.
While Trump did not comment on the claim that the attackers were supporters, people on social media have not shied away from blaming the president.
Even after he condemned the attack, the president was slammed for failing to recognize how his divisive rhetoric and speeches have empowered radical intolerance.
It does get worse. What about all the ones that didn’t make it out alive. This man is despicable!
— Jill Larsen (@Jilly313bean) January 31, 2019
The fact that this happened in 2019 means it’s gotten worse Mr. Trump.
— Liberalsocialworker (@docsoc99) January 31, 2019
