“Empire” Star Jussie Smollett Beaten In Homophobic Hate Crime, Men Scream “This Is MAGA Country,” Tie Noose Around Actor’s Neck and Pour Bleach On Him in Incident

Early Tuesday morning, “Empire” star Jussie Smollett was hospitalized after a brutal attack by two homophobic Trump supporters.

The incident occurred around 2 AM upon the actor’s arrival to Chicago from New York City. Sources tell TMZ that Smollett was on his way to Subway for a late night snack when someone yelled, “Aren’t you that f*g*t on Empire n*gg**?”

The two men, who were identified as white men in ski masks, then attacked Smollett. Although the actor fought back, the men overpowered him and fractured his rib. In addition to the brutal beating, the men also reportedly put a noose around Smollett’s neck, poured bleach on him and screamed, “This is MAGA Country,” before they fled the scene.

The actor was then taken to Northwestern Memorial for treatment.

Eight days before the incident, a letter, posted by ThatGrapeJuice.Net, was sent to Fox Studios in Chicago with letters that read, “You will die black f*g.”

The incident is under investigation as a battery and possible hate crime.