# Jussie Smollett - Say It Ain't So **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 17, 2019, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-say-it-aint-so/829698 "2019-02-17T00:34:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-say-it-aint-so/829698/141 "2019-02-21T19:38:23Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > The claim I’ve read is that he did this because he was dissatisfied with his salary. Can someone tell me how this whole scam was going to help him out in that area? Well, if he is a media darling and people are amazed at what an amazing person he is for persevering through the face of adversity and what not, then his profile is much higher. Higher profile, more money. Or something like that. 1. Get attacked 2. 3. Profit ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-say-it-aint-so/829698/142 "2019-02-21T20:51:11Z")
Raise his publicity and the publicity of the show, plus garner sympathy factor with fans. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-say-it-aint-so/829698/143 "2019-02-21T21:12:04Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > [Smollett paid his two “attackers” with a CHECK](https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/02/21/jussie-smollett-surrenders-disorderly-conduct-staged-attack/) If stupidity were a crime, I’d say that would probably be a possible life sentence. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-say-it-aint-so/829698/144 "2019-02-21T22:22:27Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > [Smollett paid his two “attackers” with a CHECK](https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/02/21/jussie-smollett-surrenders-disorderly-conduct-staged-attack/) Well, it was apparently a ploy to get a raise, so it probably would have been a business expense that he was hoping to write off, so he’d need the documentation. ---
**Author:** ![jshore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5e925/32.png) [@jshore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jshore)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-say-it-aint-so/829698/145 "2019-02-22T02:26:09Z")
> [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > Worst part, this gives Trump justification to use “Fake News” and be right–not to mention Sandy Hook deniers and all the Alex Jones disciples who think any MAGA-related disasters are staged. This gives them ground in which to dig their heels. > > Nobody’s learned from [Janet Cooke](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janet_Cooke) or [Tawana Brawley](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tawana_Brawley_rape_allegations). Not disagreeing with the fact that Trump and company will use this to their advantage, but really I think that the media that I saw (network news, probably NBC) did a pretty good job covering this story. I think from the very first night, they were mentioning that police wanted to have access to his phone but he was so far refusing. And, I think by the 2nd night, they were calling it an “alleged assault”. Of course, these nuances will be lost on all the MAGA-morons. ---
**Author:** ![jshore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5e925/32.png) [@jshore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jshore)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-say-it-aint-so/829698/146 "2019-02-22T02:43:28Z")
I just fact-checked my claim that NBC was calling it an “alleged assault” on the 2nd day and that is indeed the case, as can be seen here: [- YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgypzpE2V3w) (story starts at ~11:15). I don’t know if other networks used that terminology. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-say-it-aint-so/829698/147 "2019-02-22T02:50:18Z")
> [@jshore](#): > > I just fact-checked my claim that NBC was calling it an “alleged assault” on the 2nd day and that is indeed the case, as can be seen here: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgypzpE2V3w](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgypzpE2V3w) (story starts at ~11:15). I don’t know if other networks used that terminology. Most of the time the media does use the term “alleged”, just in case of something like this happening. Covers their ass legally, I believe. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-say-it-aint-so/829698/148 "2019-02-22T02:52:25Z")
> [@jshore](#): > > Not disagreeing with the fact that Trump and company will use this to their advantage, but really I think that the media that I saw (network news, probably NBC) did a pretty good job covering this story. I think from the very first night, they were mentioning that police wanted to have access to his phone but he was so far refusing. And, I think by the 2nd night, they were calling it an “alleged assault”. > > Of course, these nuances will be lost on all the MAGA-morons. > [@jshore](#): > > I just fact-checked my claim that NBC was calling it an “alleged assault” on the 2nd day and that is indeed the case, as can be seen here: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgypzpE2V3w](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgypzpE2V3w) (story starts at ~11:15). I don’t know if other networks used that terminology. Not that these facts will keep Fox and Rush and the rest from lying their asses off about ‘gullible left-wing media who fell for the hoax’ and such. _sigh_ My theory about Smollett’s future, by the way, is that he will end up ‘going through conversion therapy’ (probably not really) and ‘seeing the light about the left’ and ‘denouncing his past errors and sins and embracing Trump.’ He could have a nice little career, being hired to tell right-wing audiences about how the dishonest Left urged him to frame virtuous MAGA people. The left won’t have him after this. He’ll turn to the right. ---
**Author:** ![jshore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5e925/32.png) [@jshore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jshore)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-say-it-aint-so/829698/149 "2019-02-22T02:52:43Z")
…On the other hand, my claim that I thought they already said on the first day that he was not giving police access to his phone appears to be mis-remembered (or was on a different network): [- YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF5x25X7Y80) (story begins at ~4:50). Perhaps that was in coverage a few days later. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-say-it-aint-so/829698/150 "2019-02-22T02:55:05Z")
So any predictions on how Smollett decides to end this thing? Does he eventually cave and make a prepared apology to… pretty much everybody for his moronic actions? Or does he do the Cosby thing and claim innocence for the rest of his life? ---
**Author:** ![Ale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Ale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ale)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-say-it-aint-so/829698/151 "2019-02-22T04:25:55Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > So any predictions on how Smollett decides to end this thing? Does he eventually cave and make a prepared apology to… pretty much everybody for his moronic actions? Or does he do the Cosby thing and claim innocence for the rest of his life? At a guess, he’s going to blame Trump for what he did. ---
**Author:** ![jshore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5e925/32.png) [@jshore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jshore)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-say-it-aint-so/829698/152 "2019-02-22T11:08:48Z")
> [@jshore](#): > > …On the other hand, my claim that I thought they already said on the first day that he was not giving police access to his phone appears to be mis-remembered (or was on a different network): [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF5x25X7Y80](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF5x25X7Y80) (story begins at ~4:50). Perhaps that was in coverage a few days later. In fact, it was on Day 3: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaP4r2zo8hw](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaP4r2zo8hw) (story starts just before 12:00) ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-say-it-aint-so/829698/153 "2019-02-22T11:24:29Z")
What I can’t believe is that there are still jackasses out there defending this guy! WTF? ---
**Author:** ![Covfefe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ee7513/32.png) [@Covfefe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covfefe)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-say-it-aint-so/829698/154 "2019-02-22T13:05:57Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > What I can’t believe is that there are still jackasses out there defending this guy! WTF? I’m acquainted with someone who thinks Smollett must be mentally ill. She literally can’t fathom any other possibility. I know she is familiar with mental illness because a couple of her adopted children have been through some severe bouts with it. I have surmised the occasions she adjusts her worldview to realize nuance are few and far between. The one that I know of is her daughter has since recovered and is a firearm owner. So while this lady is in favor of gun control, she understands the value in not restricting access to everyone with a history of mental illness. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-say-it-aint-so/829698/155 "2019-02-22T14:52:27Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > What I can’t believe is that there are still jackasses out there defending this guy! WTF? Including Smollett himself: [Jussie Smollett apologizes to the ‘Empire’ cast and crew but insists that he’s innocent](https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/22/entertainment/jussie-smollett-empire-meeting/index.html) > [@CNN](#): > > Jussie Smollett apologized to the cast and crew of “Empire” on Thursday night for any embarrassment the recent allegations may have caused, but he maintained that he was innocent, a person at the meeting told CNN. > > The person at the meeting said they were shocked and dismayed that Smollett stuck to his story of innocence. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-say-it-aint-so/829698/156 "2019-02-22T15:33:20Z")
The police have claimed that Smollett paid Ola and Abel Osundairo $3500, by check, for their part in staging the attack. Presumably the police have a copy of the canceled check, so it’s probably fair at this point to take it as an article of faith that Smollett paid the Osundairo brothers $3500 for…_something._ And surveillance video at the nearby hardware store shows the brothers purchasing items used in the attack. So it also seems fair to take it as an article of faith that they were indeed involved in whatever happened to Smollett on 1/29. The brothers have officially told police that the payment from Smollett was for their role in staging the attack, and presumably they will be made to testify to that during Smollett’s trial (assuming it goes to trial). Has Smollett offered any other reason for the payment? Moving giant boulders around in his yard? Holding his car up while he changes tires? Any reasonable explanation for the payment that would be regarded as innocent? ---
**Author:** ![Calatin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Calatin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calatin)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-say-it-aint-so/829698/157 "2019-02-22T16:29:44Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > The police have claimed that Smollett paid Ola and Abel Osundairo $3500, by check, for their part in staging the attack. Presumably the police have a copy of the canceled check, so it’s probably fair at this point to take it as an article of faith that Smollett paid the Osundairo brothers $3500 for…_something._ > > And surveillance video at the nearby hardware store shows the brothers purchasing items used in the attack. So it also seems fair to take it as an article of faith that they were indeed involved in whatever happened to Smollett on 1/29. > > The brothers have officially told police that the payment from Smollett was for their role in staging the attack, and presumably they will be made to testify to that during Smollett’s trial (assuming it goes to trial). Has Smollett offered any other reason for the payment? Moving giant boulders around in his yard? Holding his car up while he changes tires? Any reasonable explanation for the payment that would be regarded as innocent? I read a report that, upon arrest, he told police that he had a drug problem and the check was because they were his dealers. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-say-it-aint-so/829698/158 "2019-02-22T17:15:00Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Any reasonable explanation for the payment that would be regarded as innocent? They claimed to be representing a rich Nigerian prince and he paid them to help the prince transfer millions out of the country. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-say-it-aint-so/829698/159 "2019-02-22T17:15:43Z")
> [@Calatin](#): > > I read a report that, upon arrest, he told police that he had a drug problem and the check was because they were his dealers. This whole ‘check’ thing is blowing my mind. I’m pretty sure that none of my three sons (24-27) have written more than two checks in their lives, and I’m certain that at least two of them don’t even have checkbooks. Don’t the kids these days use Venmo or some such? I certainly can’t see my neighborhood dealer accepting a check . . . Heck, I don’t think I write more than 4-5 checks a year myself anymore (taxes, some charitable contributions). ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-say-it-aint-so/829698/160 "2019-02-22T17:48:29Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Any reasonable explanation for the payment that would be regarded as innocent? He is on record as stating that he hired one of the brothers as a personal trainer. Dunno what deeper investigation into that arrangement might reveal. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-say-it-aint-so/829698.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jussie-smollett-say-it-aint-so/829698.md?page=9)