The initial outcry over actor Jussie Smollett's claims that he was attacked by two men wearing "Make America Great Again" is another example of how there are people who want to attack President Donald Trump, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said Friday.
"I think there were so many people, including a lot of leadership from the Democratic Party, everybody from Nancy Pelosi, Cory Booker, and a number of others, that quickly came out and attacked the president, blamed the president," Sanders told Fox News' "Fox and Friends." "In fact, as we learned more, it certainly seems like the only person to blame in this case is Smollett."
The case is "another sad example of people quick to want to attack and come after the president," she added, comparing the incident to the initial claims made about Covington Catholic High School students after a confrontation in Washington made national news reports.
"The president is pushing back," said Sanders.
Trump on Thursday, after the "Empire" actor was arrested for allegedly filing a false police report, slammed him on Twitter, writing "@JussieSmollett -- What about MAGA and the tens of millions of people you insulted with your racist and dangerous comments!? #MAGA."
Chicago police said Thursday that Smollett set up a hate crime hoax, claiming he was assaulted by men saying he did not belong in "MAGA country," because he was not happy with the salary he earns on the Fox television show.
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.