Good Morning America (GMA) co-host Robin Roberts spoke out on her interview with Jussie Smollett following new allegations the actor staged a hate crime.
Yahoo News reported she addressed her February 14 interview during Thursday's GMA show. She explained the incident was a setback for racial and homophobic injustices.
"This touches all the buttons," she said. "It’s a setback for race relations, homophobia, MAGA supporters. I cannot think of another case where there is this anger on so many sides and you can understand why there would be."
Smollett was taken into police custody Thursday morning after being arrested for allegedly staging his attack on January 29. Prosecutors believe he falsified a police report, which is a class four felony, in efforts to gain a higher pay rate from the Fox show Empire. The actor posted $100,000 bail several hours after his arrest.
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“At that time, on Tuesday, police officers were saying that his account was consistent, it was credible, and that he was being cooperative," Roberts continued. "Now this was all before the interview aired on Thursday, and then we found out about the brothers."
Per Variety, brothers Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo were reportedly hired by Smollett to stage the attack which included yelling homophobic slurs and physically harming him on January 29. Police claim the two were paid $3,500 via personal check and an additional $500 once the task was complete.
Roberts was informed the interview might serve as significant evidence in the ongoing investigation by ABC News chief legal affairs anchor Dan Abrams.
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