FOX Nation has released a new docuseries titled “Jussie Smollett: Anatomy of a Hoax” that delves into the elaborate plot to stage a hate crime on the actor in 2019. The five-part series features Emmy award-winning journalist Rafer Weigel, who covered the story while working as an anchor for Chicago’s Fox 32 at the time of the incident.
In the first episode, Weigel shares his reactions to the news of the alleged attack and how he confirmed with a Chicago police representative that the story was false.
According to a FOX Nation press release, Smollett claimed in January 2019 that he was attacked on a Chicago Street by two men who shouted, “this is MAGA country,” while beating him and putting a noose around his neck. However, after a thorough investigation, the Chicago police discovered that the attack was staged and that Smollett had hired the Osundairo brothers to carry out the crime.
Weigel recalls when he first heard about the story while at city hall and how reporters reacted skeptically, agreeing that it never happened. He also shares his surprise when a Chicago police representative on the record told him that the story was false, a departure from the usual neutral statements given by public relations officers for various police departments.
“I do my newscast that night, and I go home, I called one of the public information officers in the City of Chicago at 10:45 at night. He answers his phone,” said Weigel. “And I said, what’s the deal with that Jussie Smollett story? “He goes, oh my God; it’s a bunch of bulls—t, it never happened. He told me to tweet that Chicago Police are taking this very seriously but that we’re skeptical.”
The docuseries further explores the details of the planning and execution of the fake crime, as well as the aftermath and unraveling of the truth. Smollett was later found guilty and sentenced to five months in jail, in addition to paying $120,000 in restitution and a $25,000 fine to Chicago.
“The fact that a public information officer went on the record and said we’re not buying it made my jaw hit the floor,” Weigel said.
Weigel expresses shock at how many news outlets initially reported the story as truth, despite evidence to the contrary. He also shares his experience of receiving personal attacks and hate speech on social media after tweeting what the police representative had told him on the record.
“I woke up the following day, and my Twitter was filled with hate speech and personal attacks. Blacks Lives Matter activists, people going after me,” he said.
Such an intriguing piece. My thanks to Pilgrim productions.