Donald Trump, Jr. Weighs In on Jussie Smollett Case

Donald Trump Jr. says he questioned the validity of Jussie Smollett’s claims he’d been attacked in the middle of the night while going out for a sandwich in Chicago last year. Recently, he weighed in on the case now that Smollett is facing new charges.

Donald Trump, Jr. On Jussie Smollett

TMZ caught up with Don Jr. when he was leaving an office building in New York City and asked him what he thought of the case in light of recent developments.

Don Jr. rhetorically asked the interviewer what might the punishment for Smollett’s attackers been if the attack truly happened? He went on to say that the case is bad for the country and adds that Smollett may be a “decent actor” but that he’s a terrible writer as it appears he scripted the matter.

Smollett has not wavered in declaring his innocence. Last November, the Washington Post reported that Smollett filed a counterclaim against the city of Chicago following the city’s lawsuit insisting he fork over $130,000 to compensate the 1,836 hours of police overtime that was expended looking into his case.

The actor’s counterclaim stated: “Having agreed to accept $10,000 from Mr. Smollett as payment in full connection with the dismissal of the charges against him. The City cannot seek additional recovery from Mr. Smollett under the doctrine of accord and satisfaction.”

No More Empire

Smollett was an original cast member of Empire. His character, Jamal Lyon, has been described as the middle child of Lucious and Cookie Lyon, the power behind a hip-hop recordnamed Empire. A talented R&B singer, Jamal sought to gain his father’s approval and acceptance.

Jamal was reluctant to embrace becoming a music star, but he grew to embrace fame with the help of his mother. Jamal and his father came into conflict over the fact that Jamal is gay, a dynamic that was inspired by Empire creator Lee Daniels’ relationship with his father in real-life. Empire returns to Fox on Tuesday, March 3 at 9 p.m. ET.