Don Lemon questions Jussie Smollett’s Attorney: ‘Did someone very important’ make a call on his behalf?
The CNN host, who had been defensive of the 'Empire' actor when the drama surrounding him first surfaced, had some very direct, and skeptical, questions for his lawyer
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In the past, Don Lemon has spoken highly of Jussie Smollett and even expressed his support directly after the reports of his alleged attack. But in a recent interview with the actor’s lawyer, the CNN commentator pulled no punches.
On Monday Lemon spoke with Smollett’s attorney Patricia Brown Holmes on the air and grilled her for details about how her client was cleared of all charges.
Lemon said he found the current developments particularly odd given how First Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney Joseph Magats was directly quoted as saying, “I do not believe he’s innocent.” And both the both the police superintendent and the mayor of Chicago harshly criticized Smollett during a press conference.
“Did someone potentially very important or influential do a favor, make a call on Jussie’s behalf?” Lemon asked bluntly, echoing a sentiment that has been making the rounds on social media.
“No, there was no political influence in this case,” Holmes responded.
However, the Chicago Sun-Times reported earlier in March that Tina Tchen, a Chicago attorney and former chief of staff for former First Lady Michelle Obama, called up Foxx to ask personally that she intervene on behalf of the Empire actor.
Tchen also reportedly gave Foxx’s number to a relative of Smollett who then also engaged in conversations about the case. After that action, Cook County prosecutor Kim Foxx recused herself from the case. It was Magats who moved to have all charges against Smollett dropped.
Holmes also pointed out that the case against her client only “seemed” airtight because several parties leaked “incomplete and inaccurate” information and were guilty of “inappropriately” talking to the media to create confusion.
Tuesday, Senator and 2020 presidential candidate Kamala Harris also appeared on CNN, telling Wolf Blitzer that when it comes to the Smollett case she’s just as befuddled as everyone else.
“To be honest with you, Wolf, I’m completely confused. I don’t understand. I don’t know, I don’t know the underlying evidence,” Harris admitted.
“There’s a sealed document, obviously. I don’t know. I’m at a loss. I think we’re going to have to leave it up to the judgment of the prosecutor. I think we should leave it up to the judgment of the police chief and the mayor, of course, to give us some better sense of what’s going on. I don’t know.”
Democrat Senator Kamala Harris on Jussie Smollett's charges being dropped: "I’m completely confused. I don’t understand. I don’t know, I don’t know the underlying evidence. … I don’t know. I’m at a loss."
Harris had called the alleged attack an "attempted modern-day lynching" pic.twitter.com/gQYeX28rT6
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) March 27, 2019
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