Most of America probably never heard of Empire actor Jesse Smollett who claimed he was a victim of a late-night, racially charged, homophobic MAGA attack during the polar vortex in Chicago. Many Americans likely had an inkling that this was yet another hate crime hoax. The Trump-hating media nonetheless immediately amplified the allegations as did the self-righteous blue-check Twitter cohort and various prominent Democrats when it first broke. Although all the facts are yet to come in from the police investigation, and even the FBI got involved, some news outlets are now reporting that the incident may indeed have been a staged hoax. read more