Former Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke (Screenshot)

Former Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke said Thursday that he’s not buying the explanation that actor Jussie Smollett staged his own assault and blamed it on Trump supporters because of a salary dispute with Fox Studios over his role on the show “Empire.”



Instead, Clarke said Smollett was on a “political mission for the left.”



“I’m not buying that @JussieSmollett staged his hoax due to a salary dispute with FOX studios. I’m not that gullible. AND DON’T YOU FALL FOR IT EITHER! Smollett was on a POLITICAL MISSION for the left. He’s part of the slimy Hollywood elite. #MAGA2020” Clarke tweeted.



Clarke also said he “can’t wait” for the FBI to announce federal charges against Smollett for mailing a “hoax letter” to the television studio, noting that it’s a crime punishable by five to 10 years in federal prison.



“Can’t wait for the FBI to hold their news conference to announce FEDERAL CHARGES against @JussieSmollett for mailing that hoax letter to the studio. That is MAIL FRAUD punishable by 5-10 years in federal prison. Don’t turn away from this folks or it will go away. #MAGA2020,” Clarke tweeted.



As CNSNews.com reported, Smollett was arrested Thursday after Chicago police determined he staged the attack with the help of two Nigerian men, who were extras on “Empire,” and paid them $3,500.



Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said Smollett did it "because he was dissatisfied with his salary. So he concocted a story about being attacked."



Fox Business reports that according to a 2016 Variety report, Smollett earned around $20,000 per episode, while co-stars Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson were getting paid around $175,000 per episode.