\'Empire\' Star Jussie Smollett Attacked in Possible Hate Crime

“Empire” star Jussie Smollett was hospitalized following an attack that police are investigating as a possible hate crime.????According to police, Smollett was walking on the streets of Chicago around 2:00am when he was approached by two men who yelled homophobic and racial slurs.????Smollett was then attacked, with TMZ reporting he fought back but suffered a fractured rib in the incident.????The site alleges the two attackers were white males wearing ski masks, who at one point had the actor’s head in a noose and screamed “This is MAGA country” while pouring bleach on him…????Though a statement from Chicago Police called it an “unknown chemical substance.”????Smollett was treated and released following the attack.????Sources told TMZ the actor received a threatening letter 8 days before saying that he would die.????Smollett came out as gay in 2015 and plays Jamal Lyons, who is also gay, on the popular FOX show “Empire”.????Chicago police say the department is investigating the attack as “a possible racially-charged battery” and treating the incident as a potential hate crime.