Conservative media reacted with shock and surprise on social media following the bombshell news out of Chicago that charges against "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett was dropped.



Prosecutors dropped charges against the 36-year-old performer and activist, which included disorderly conduct for allegedly filing a false report after he informed Chicago police he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack in January.

"After reviewing all of the facts and circumstances of the case, including Mr. Smollet’s volunteer service in the community and agreement to forfeit his bond to the City of Chicago, we believe this outcome is a just disposition and appropriate resolution to this case," the Cook County State's Attorney's Office told The Hill's "In the Know" in a statement.



"We standby the Chicago Police Department’s investigation and our decision to approve charges in this case," the statement continued.

The reaction on Twitter ranged from suspicion of the sudden decision to drop the charges to astonishment.

Smollett's attorney acknowledges that the brothers attacked him, but maintains that the city of Chicago's charges against him are false?? — Saagar Enjeti (@esaagar) March 26, 2019

All 16 felony charges against Jussie Smollett have been dropped.



Now THAT'S some privilege. #ChicagoPolitics — Alana Mastrangelo (@ARmastrangelo) March 26, 2019

Smollett staged a hate crime yet still has a job. Northam wore blackface and advocated infanticide yet still has a job. Fairfax was credibly accused of rape by two women yet still has a job. Don't tell me about privilege. No one is more privileged in modern America than a leftist — Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) February 22, 2019

I feel sorry for the people today who are FURIOUS that our President wasn't found to be a russian agent and HAPPY that Jussie Smollett, who staged a fake hate crime to attempt to racially divide this country won't be punished. — Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) March 26, 2019

Smollett's lawyer said today that the two Nigerian brothers were the ones who attacked him.



Smollett originally claimed the two people who attacked him are white.



Astonishing privilege for Smollett to get out of these charges. — Amber Athey (@amber_athey) March 26, 2019

If you don’t punish fake hate crime claims, you’ll get more fake hate crime claims.



Trump-directed/collusion snark about ‘exoneration’ is ridiculous. We have tons of hard evidence establishing Smollett’s guilt—from co-conspirator confessions, to video footage, to signed checks. — Guy Benson (@guypbenson) March 26, 2019

Breaking: I have a statement from @BridgetPhetasy on the Jussie Smollett situation. In reaction to the news, Ms. Phetasy said, "This just proves you can get away with anything in America if you are famous-- and this is exactly why I want to be famous." — Carol Roth (@caroljsroth) March 26, 2019

This is leftist privilege in action. If this whole thing had been perpetrated by a couple of MAGA dudes they’d be going to prison for 35-45 years. Jussie Smollett is getting off with community service and forfeiting his bond to the City of Chicago. Absolutely sickening. https://t.co/8GwJqp35cA — Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) March 26, 2019

Letting Smollett off the hook is a pure political calculation by Cook County. It is indeed that simple. The facts are in public view. — Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) March 26, 2019

Smollett originally claimed he was attacked in the early morning of Jan. 29 on a street near his apartment in Chicago. Smollett says the alleged attackers yelled "This is MAGA country!" while pouring an unknown chemical substance on Smollett and attempting to tie a rope around his neck.

He was indicted six weeks later on March 8 on 16 felony counts by a Cook County grand jury after police said he lied about the attack.