Jussie Smollet Charges Dropped: How Taraji P. Henson, More Celebrities Are Reacting to the News

UPDATE at 3:45pm PT on March 26, 2019: Speaking with USA Today on Tuesday, Jussie's "Empire" costar Taraji P. Henson celebrated the news.

"I'm happy that the truth has finally been set free, because I knew it all along," she said. We're all happy for him, and thank God the truth prevailed. Those little clickbait (reports) weren't enough to deter me from his immaculate track record. I know the type of activism this young man does in his community, I know that he's a giver – he's not an attention-seeker."

She added, "When I know someone, there's nothing you can say to make me flip on them, and that's what we miss in this world," she says. "We need people that stand by us. Whatever happened to that? Why are we so easy to believe strangers over people we know?"

Original story below:

In yet another stunning development, Jussie Smollett was cleared of all wrong-doing on Tuesday, having been accused of orchestrating a fake homophobic and racist attack on himself.

With the number of twists and turns the case has taken, reaction from the left on Twitter was predictably muted — but the right had plenty of theories on why the charges were dropped.

James Woods was among the first to make a jibe: "Now maybe he can help OJ look for Nicole's killer... #DemocratJustice"

"If I ever hear another Democrat say Michelle Obama 'goes high,' I'll puke. This is what real obstruction of justice looks like, folks," he continued. "I feel sorry for the next victim of an actual hate crime..."

Right-wing Infowars host Mike Cernovich retweeted his own prediction, which read: "Chicago is a Democrat stronghold. If Jussie Smollett's hoaxed them, they won't be able to prosecute him. There will be some b.s. statement about how all leads were chased and they couldn't locate the wrongdoers."

"Remember when I told you what was up in January?" he asked followers. "This is the real world, folks, Chicago is a different world. Smollett charges dismissed."

Ann Coulter appeared to suggest a conspiracy courtesy of liberal billionaire George Soros: "Oh, I see. Kim Foxx, the Chicago prosecutor who dropped Jussie Smollett charges was put there by George Soros."

When the Mayor of Chicago decreed the dropped charges a "Whitewash of Justice", the President's son Donald Trump Jr tweeted: "Never thought I'd agree 100% with RAHM Emanuel."

Meanwhile, one of Smollett's attorneys Mark Geragos, who just one day earlier was alleged to be a co-conspirator in the criminal complaints aimed at fellow celeb lawyer Michael Avenatti, also took a moment to gloat over his prediction.

"Today, all criminal charges against Jussie Smollett were dismissed by the Prosecution. Jussie's record has been wiped clean. Jussie was attacked by two people he was unable to identify. He was a victim and was victimized again in a rush to judgment. Apologies accepted."

There were also those on the left who were responding to the news -- with mixed reactions.

Gun safety advocate and Parkland victim relative Hunter Pollack claimed that "By dropping the charges against Jussie Smollett you're setting the example that it's okay to fake a hate crime. Just make sure to say you got beat up by guys in MAGA hats."

"Stan" star Devon Sawa said: "The Smollett announcement is yet another example of how our court system is broken. Lawyers look for loopholes and mistakes and then negotiate deals."

George Takei tied the development to the cloudy summary of the Mueller probe: "There are lots of things we apparently should not pre-judge before we have all the facts, like Jussie Smollett (all charges dropped?!) and the Mueller report (not yet public!!)"

One of the first accounts to react on Twitter was the writers of his TV series "Empire", who shared a screengrab of the news announcement, with the caption: "see y'all Wednesday. #empire #empirefox" complete with a winking emoji.

Jussie's family, who had stood resolutely beside him throughout the ordeal, also released a statement.

"Our son and brother is an innocent man whose name and character has been unjustly smeared," the family said in the statement. "Jussie is a son, a brother, a partner, a champion for human rights, and a genuine soul who would never be capable of what he was falsely accused of. He was the victim of an assault and then falsely blamed for his own attack. This morning truth has prevailed and he has been vindicated. All charges have been dismissed and his record expunged (cleared)."

"The painful incidents we've witnessed him endure over the past 7 weeks have been heartbreaking and unjust to say the least. While many were quick to rush to judgement before hearing the actual truth, we are grateful that the truth about Jussie has come to light. We look forward to bringing the real perpetrators to justice. We thank God and our village for standing by us during this trying time."

"Empire" home network Fox also released a short statement: "Jussie Smollett has always maintained his innocence and we are gratified that all charges against him have been dismissed."

Jussie's sister and fellow actor Jurnee retweeted messages from two of her brother's supporters: Ava DuVernay and Questlove.

Ava herself retweeted one of her own posts from February in which she reserved judgment on the case, announcing "I'll just put this right here."

"Despite the inconsistencies, I can't blindly believe Chicago PD," her original post read. "The department that covered up shooting Laquan McDonald over a dozen times? That operated an off-site torture facility? That one? I'll wait. Whatever the outcome, this won't stop me from believing others. It can't."

Questlove meanwhile bellowed in all caps: "TOLD YALL"

Smollett and his attorneys appeared in Chicago court on Tuesday where it was announced all 16 felony charges have been dropped. Smollett claimed he had been the victim of a racist and homophobic assault in January. After a weeks long investigation Chicago PD claimed the TV star had orchestrated the attack on himself. The court's decision on Tuesday was yet another shocking development.

Smollett's attorneys released a statement:

Today, all criminal charges against Jussie Smollett were dropped and his record has been wiped clean of the filing of this tragic complaint against him. Jussie was attacked by 2 people he was unable to identify on January 29th. He was a victim who was vilified and made to appear as a perpetrator as a result of false and inappropriate remarks made to the public, causing an inappropriate rush to judgment.

Jussie and many others were hurt by these unfair and unwarranted actions. This entire situation is a reminder that there should never be an attempt to prove a case in the court of public opinion. That is wrong. It is a reminder that a victim, in this case Jussie, deserves dignity and respect. Dismissal of charges against the victim in this case was the only just result.

Jussie is relieved to have this situation behind him and is very much looking forward to getting back to focusing on his family, friends and career.

Jussie himself made a brief statement before leaving the courthouse a free man, thanking his friends, family and those who believed and prayed for him throughout the ordeal.

He also thanked "the state of Illinois" for "attempting to do what's right."

"I have been truthful and consistent on every single level since day one," he told reporters. "I would not be my mother's son if I was capable of one drop of what I've been accused of."