It’s unclear why Chicago police claimed they did not have information on the “MAGA” slurs until hours after they was first reported.

“Empire” star Jussie Smollett has confirmed that his attackers yelled pro-“MAGA” slurs at him, including, “Trump country,” according to multiple news outlets. Smollett was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack that took place around 2 AM Tuesday morning. His attackers reportedly tied a noose around his neck, poured bleach over him, beat him, and fractured one of his ribs.

Some on the right had claimed that Chicago police were denying claims that Jussie Smollett heard his attackers use “MAGA” slurs.

Several news outlets including TMZ and The Hollywood Reporter, however, have confirmed with police that Smollett indeed reported the slurs.

TMZ reports that “Chicago PD confirms to TMZ Jussie told them, in a follow-up interview, about the attackers yelling, ‘MAGA country.'”

And in a chilling addition to their reporting, TMZ notes that Chicago police “add Jussie still had the rope around his neck when he made contact with cops at 2:42 AM.”

The Hollywood Reporter also confirms the MAGA slurs.

“Around 4:35 p.m. [PST], police confirmed to THR that Smollett told them his attackers yelled pro-‘Make America Great Again’ (MAGA) comments during the attack, such a ‘MAGA country!'”

“The comments were not mentioned in the initial report but were added to a supplemental report after another interview with detectives, police told THR.”

Curiously, TMZ’s initial report, which was published just after 11 AM ET, included the “MAGA” slurs, so it’s unclear why Chicago police claim they did not have that information until hours later.

Here’s NBC News’ report from Tuesday evening:



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