He’s choosing not to take it.

You might remember that the “Empire” actor alleged in 2019 that he was assaulted by two individuals wearing MAGA hats during a cold Chicago night while he was out to get a Subway sandwich. As I previously remarked on the case, “His story was so full of holes, it made Swiss cheese jealous.”

On Friday, Smollett agreed to resolve a civil lawsuit with the city by donating $50,000 to a local charity of his choosing. By Saturday, he amusingly resumed asserting his innocence despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary:

Jussie Smollett releases statement:

“I am innocent in the eyes of God.”

No tf you’re not 💀 pic.twitter.com/0sy5mX88wV

— Sara Rose 🇺🇸🌹 (@saras76) May 26, 2025

It’s all a plot by the City of Chicago, you see:

In an Instagram post on Saturday, Smollett accused the city of Chicago of being part of a conspiracy aimed at undermining his claim of being a hate crime victim.

“Over six years ago, after it was reported I had been jumped, City Officials in Chicago set out to convince the public that I willfully set an assault against myself. This false narrative has left a stain on my character that will not soon disappear,” Smollett wrote.

“These officials wanted my money and wanted my confession for something I did not do. Today, it should be clear…They have received neither,” he continued.

Snort, chortle, laugh. Or as our thankfully ex-president might have said, “C’mon, man!”

Did you forget about this, Jussie?

Jussie Smollett hoax perpetrators reenact what happened that fateful night in Chicago pic.twitter.com/dEJR9csNU5

— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) March 14, 2023