Actor Jussie Smollett is suspected of having made up the entire story about being attacked by two men who yelled "this is MAGA country," according to multiple reports.
ABC Chicago reported that Chicago police are now investigating whether Smollett lied about the attack — and whether he had help from two people.
Sources told the news station that police picked up two persons of interest at O'Hare International Airport Wednesday night and questioned them.
According to CBS Chicago, the men are of Nigerian descent and have appeared on the "Empire" show with Smollett as extras. Police served a search warrant at a home they are staying at and took bleach, shoes, electronic devices, receipts, and other items.
Smollett is reported to have skipped a follow-up interview with police on Thursday. ABC reported that Smollett's motivation for potentially making up the story was that he is being written off "Empire."
Police would not confirm the reports.
The 36-year-old Smollett is openly gay and told police he was attacked by two men on Jan. 29 in Chicago. He said the attackers yelled "this is MAGA country," a reference to President Donald Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan, and hurled racial and homophobic slurs as they beat him up and placed a noose around his neck.
Holes have appeared in Smollett's story, however, which has raised the possibility that he made it up.
According to CBS Chicago, 20th Century Fox Television and Fox Entertainment said in a statement: "The idea that Jussie Smollett has been, or would be, written off of EMPIRE is patently ridiculous. He remains a core player on this very successful series and we continue to stand behind him."
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