As Twitchy reported, “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett appeared on “Good Morning America” Thursday morning to talk about the alleged racist and homophobic attack on him in Chicago, where he claimed assailants put a noose around his neck and yelled, “This is MAGA country.”

Police also reported that they’d tracked down those two persons of interest who appeared in a surveillance video.

ABC 7 EXCLUSIVE: My colleague @BabichABC7 has confirmed Chicago Police are talking to two people of interest in the Jussie Smollett case. They cannot confirm their identities at this time. — Rob Elgas (@RobElgasABC7) February 14, 2019

More: @ABC also confirming police talking to two persons of interest. Police used technology to track the movements of the two individuals using cameras, public transportation records, and corroborating information provided by Smollett. — Rob Elgas (@RobElgasABC7) February 14, 2019

Chicago police say the two persons of interest have not been charged with a crime and there is no evidence they’re involved in the physical attack. “We know who they are and have brought them in for questioning” a CPD spokesman said. — Rob Elgas (@RobElgasABC7) February 14, 2019

NEW: @ABC7Chicago has confirmed the persons of interest in the Jussie Smollett case were picked up at O’Hare airport last night. — Rob Elgas (@RobElgasABC7) February 14, 2019

So police have the two persons of interest, but who are they? Fox 32 reporter Rafer Weigel says police have identified them.

.@fox32news has learned from @Chicago_Police that the 2 persons of interests they are talking to were an extra on #Empire and his close friend. They were picked up at the airport and are the ones in surveillance video. — Rafer Weigel (@RaferWeigel) February 14, 2019

.@Chicago_Police are still not calling the 2 people they’re questioning about #JussieSmollett suspects. #CPD says 1 was an extra on #Empire and the other was that mans friend and both are the ones seen on surveillance pic. #Smollett told #GMA men on that video were his attackers. — Rafer Weigel (@RaferWeigel) February 14, 2019

An extra on “Empire” and his close friend? So obviously these aren’t the alleged attackers.

Any word on if these guys were working with Jussie or did they attack him? — Mark in Dallas (@Mark4124NH) February 14, 2019

There goes the narrative. I'm sure Empire is chock full of actors who are MAGA hat wearing, racist, homophobes. ? — NeoUnrealist (@NeoUnrealist) February 14, 2019

Interesting. Now why would an extra harbor feelings of rage over a hyped and promoted TV star. Jealousy? Revenge? Or were they paid off to help him set this all up? Time will tell. — SummerShine (@SilverSummerSun) February 14, 2019

Wait what? So the two from the surveillance video, who Jussie said in his interview are the ones who attacked him, turn out to be extras on Empire who worked with him, which was discovered by CPD tracking their use of a ride sharing service? — StockMarketNietzsche (@Investor4201) February 14, 2019

So still no video footage whatsoever of the attack?

Retractions are in order. — Kim Henry (@khenry657) February 14, 2019

* * *

Update:

CWB Chicago is reporting that it received a tip a week ago that Smollett’s friends bought the rope for the noose at Ace Hardware and took a Lyft to the scene of the crime.

Wait. Wait. Are they saying the two persons of interest were tracked down by using the phone numbers he deleted??? — RBe (@RBPundit) February 14, 2019

I guess? Plus Lyft records? This is crazy fascinating. — Emily Zanotti (@emzanotti) February 14, 2019

BRUH, if that report is true. Holy crap. — RBe (@RBPundit) February 14, 2019

A source additionally states that Smollett downloaded his phone activity into a spreadsheet and then deleted certain phone calls. “He did the [detectives’] job for them because then they only had to focus on the numbers he deleted.” — carlosdiablo (@johntheapostate) February 14, 2019

Hang on… so the two guys screaming "This is MAGA country!" aren't white? AND one worked with him on the show? Stop the story, I want to get off. — E.B. Garrett (@EBGarrett1975) February 14, 2019

Holy shit. They just set a trap for him and he walked right into it. Slow clap for the Chicago PD. — LeadsWithHerRight (@Please_Be_Smart) February 14, 2019

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