'Empire' star Jussie Smollett: Attackers yelled, 'This is MAGA country' during beating

Show Caption Hide Caption Celebrities and politicians rally behind Jussie Smollett after attack From Hollywood to Washington, support is pouring out for "Empire" star, Jussie Smollett after he was hospitalized for an alleged homophobic and racist attack.

Chicago Police say they are still searching for the assailants who attacked "Empire" star Jussie Smollett early Tuesday morning in what Chief Communications Officer Anthony Guglielmi says they are investigating as a "possible hate crime."

Wednesday evening, Guglielmi said police have established "potential persons of interest" in the assault. He added that, "A community alert (with) photos is being constructed and will be disseminated shortly."

Meanwhile, Smollett is out of the hospital, according to a person familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak publicly about it. And he is still planning to perform his concert scheduled for Saturday at West Hollywood's Troubadour.

In an earlier statement on Tuesday, Guglielmi said that Smollett, who had returned Chicago one day earlier for work, was fully cooperating with investigators and helping them establish a timeline of the assault.

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Guglielmi told USA TODAY that Smollett, 36, was approached in the early hours of Tuesday morning by two people who "gained his attention by yelling out racial and homophobic slurs towards him," adding that they punched him in the face, poured a chemical on him and wrapped a rope around his neck.

Smollett went to Northwestern Memorial Hospital to have the cuts on his face and neck treated. He was described as being in good condition and on Wednesday, his representative, Pamela Sharp, told USA TODAY that he was "recovering well."

Sgt. Cindy Guerra confirmed to USA TODAY that Smollett said in a follow-up interview the next day that his alleged attackers yelled, "This is MAGA country."

"We ask anyone with information about this incident to contact Area Central Detectives at 312-747-8382 or report it anonymously to www.cpdtip.com," police said.

CPD Officer Michael Carroll confirmed to USA TODAY that the FBI is investigating a threatening letter containing a white substance that was sent to Smollett at Fox's Chicago studios on Jan. 22. The powder was later determined to be acetaminophen, or Tylenol.

Fox, which had already suspended filming because of record cold temperatures in Chicago, told USA TODAY that "Empire" will begin shooting again on Thursday. The network has not indicated whether the attack on Smollett will cause further delay.

However, the network and 20th Century Fox Television, which produces the show, condemned the attack on the actor in a public statement on Tuesday afternoon.

"We are deeply saddened and outraged to learn that a member of our 'Empire' family, Jussie Smollett, was viciously attacked last night. We send our love to Jussie, who is resilient and strong, and we will work with law enforcement to bring these perpetrators to justice," the statement read. "The entire studio, network and production stands united in the face of any despicable act of violence and hate – and especially against one of our own."

Smollett is gay, like his "Empire" character Jamal Lyon, a singer/songwriter who has a tense relationship with his homophobic music mogul father (Terrence Howard).

Smollett expanded on his own sexuality in a 2016 interview with Out Magazine.

"I am a gay man with an extremely open heart ... If I had to label myself, I would label myself as a gay man," he told the magazine at the time. "If I fall in love down the road with a woman, I'm going to love that woman."

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Smollett received many messages of support from his "Empire" co-stars and other celebrities on social media, including Ellen DeGeneres, who recalled him coming out on her show in 2015.

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Four years ago, @JussieSmollett came out on my show. I’m sending him and his family so much love today. ❤️ — Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) January 29, 2019

Several stars and politicians are demanding that Smollett's attackers be brought to justice and that the incident inspire lasting change.

Actress Viola Davis tweeted, "THIS is why the LGBTQ community continue to fight to be seen and PROTECTED against hate!"

OMG!! THIS is why the LGBTQ community continue to fight to be seen and PROTECTED against hate!



We ALL have to take this racist and homophobic act of violence very personally! My arms are around you @jussiesmollett. You are loved! https://t.co/bprDZ3Luah — Viola Davis (@violadavis) January 29, 2019

Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) stressed the urgent need to pass legislation adding lynching to the list of federal hate crimes.

"The vicious attack on actor Jussie Smollett was an attempted modern-day lynching," Booker wrote. "I'm glad he's safe."

"To those in Congress who don't feel the urgency to pass our Anti-Lynching bill designating lynching as a federal hate crime – I urge you to pay attention."

The vicious attack on actor Jussie Smollett was an attempted modern-day lynching. I'm glad he's safe.



To those in Congress who don't feel the urgency to pass our Anti-Lynching bill designating lynching as a federal hate crime– I urge you to pay attention. https://t.co/EwXFxl5f2m — Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) January 29, 2019

Bobby Rush, the Chicago congressman who introduced H.R. 35, the bill that Booker referenced, tweeted Wednesday that he had contacted FBI director Christopher Wray to ask for "an immediate and sweeping civil rights investigation into the racist and homophobic attack" on Smollett.

In a statement, he called the attack "a hate crime plain and simple" and vowed not to "stand by while evil acts are inflicted on any citizen, especially not in my hometown."

Rush added, "I am even more disturbed by the manner in which this crime was carried out, particularly at the media reports of the attempted lynching, which harkens back to some of the darkest days in our history."

He thanked the Chicago Police Department and FBI "for their swift action and thorough investigation" and exhorted his colleagues to support his anti-lynching legislation, which he said would "ensure perpetrators receive an enhanced sentence under hate crimes statutes."

Today, I sent a letter to @FBI Director Christopher Wray calling for an immediate and sweeping civil rights investigation into the racist and homophobic attack on @JussieSmollett: https://t.co/J2bpt2J7kI pic.twitter.com/KQlT5LUS5Z — Bobby L. Rush (@RepBobbyRush) January 30, 2019

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi condemned the assault, saying the "racist, homophobic attack on @JussieSmollett is an affront to our humanity."

"No one should be attacked for who they are or whom they love," she tweeted. "I pray that Jussie has a speedy recovery & that justice is served. May we all commit to ending this hate once & for all."

The racist, homophobic attack on @JussieSmollett is an affront to our humanity. No one should be attacked for who they are or whom they love. I pray that Jussie has a speedy recovery & that justice is served. May we all commit to ending this hate once & for all. — Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) January 30, 2019

Janelle Monae posted a rallying cry in support of Smollett to her Instagram page.

"THIS HATE CRIME against our brother @jussiesmollett is proof that no matter how famous you may be it still does not protect you from vicious racist homophobes !!" she wrote. "AND It is still a risk daily to be a BLACK , OUT, and PROUD human being."

Shonda Rhimes urged her followers to rise up against incidents like this.

"We ALL have a responsibility to rise up against the ignorance and hate out there. If you know who did this to @JussieSmollett, REPORT THEM TO THE POLICE," she tweeted.