'There was no hoax' Jussie Smollett denies staging a racist, homophobic attack against himself
US actor Jussie Smollett has denied he staged a racist, homophobic attack against himself, testifying in court that "there was no hoax".
He stood by his claim to police that the assailants had cried out a Trump slogan and tied a noose round his neck.Prosecutors have argued the actor staged the incident in an effort to help his career. Mr Smollett said the cheque was for a meal and workout plan while he was going to be travelling. Asked by his defence lawyer if he gave Abimbola Osundairo payment for the alleged scheme, Mr Smollett replied: "Never.
Mr Smollett told the jury on Monday that after the purported attack, it was only when he returned home to his apartment building that "I realised that the rope was around my neck".