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Lee Daniels Tearfully Shows Support for 'Son' Jussie Smollett: 'Just Another Day in America'

Home / News / Lee Daniels Tearfully Shows Support for 'Son' Jussie Smollett: 'Just Another Day in America'

By TheBlast Staff on January 28, 2019 at 9:42 PM PST

Lee Daniels is speaking out in defense of Jussie Smollett, and nearly broke down in tears while telling the star he did not deserve to have a noose put around his neck.

The "Empire" co-creator just took to social media after Smollett was brutally attacked in an alleged homophobic and racial tirade.

"You didn't deserve this," Daniels says, adding, "Nor anybody deserves to have a noose put around your neck ... to have bleach thrown on you."

Daniels speaks into the camera, telling Smollett, "You are better than that ... we are better than that ... America is better than that."

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20th Century Fox also issued a statement on the incident: "We are deeply saddened and outraged to learn that a member of our EMPIRE family, Jussie Smollett, was viciously attacked last night. We send our love to Jussie, who is resilient and strong, and we will work with law enforcement to bring these perpetrators to justice."

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Fox adds, "The entire studio, network and production stands united in the face of any despicable act of violence and hate — and especially against one of our own."

"Empire" co-creator Danny Strong issued a comment straight to the unknown suspects with, "whoever did this, do not forget that you are nothing but hate filled cowards while Jussie’s talent and activism will continue to shine a bright light on to the world for decades to come."

Lee Daniels tells Smollett to hold his head up, and stresses that "No racist f*ck can come in and do the things they did to you," ending his speech with, "Just another day in America."

As we reported, police are currently searching for video evidence of the alleged attack, which is being investigated as a possible hate crime.

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