Baddiezz:
He claimed to be assaulted by Trump supporters in a hate crime and gave a very inconsistent and unbelievable story. There were all sorts of reasons people doubted it- the unlikelihood of anyone recognizing him at night in -20 degree temperatures or the fact he was carrying a cell phone in one hand, subway sandwich in the other, and 'fought back' yet was on video walking away unscathed, sandwich in hand.
His story was very widely touted in the media and lots of celebrities, talk shows, politicians, etc lined up to denounce the attack and use it as a reason to condemn Trump. Multiple democratic presidential candidates issued statements condemning the supposed hate crime, and Jussie was given prime airtime to tell his story, and we got to watch Ellen Page go on Colbert's show and give a real impassioned denunciation of Trump and whatnot.
Now in the past few days details have trickled out from the Chicago PD investigation that are establishing how Jussie Smollett orchestrated the whole thing. The two attackers he had described as white men wearing MAGA caps were actually two black nigerian extras from Empire and his gym buddies. His botched attempt to mislead police with doctored cell phone logs led investigators right to his conspirators, and police quickly had proof of them using Lyft to that part of town and back, and buying the clothesline used as a noose. When questioned, they spilled the beans and said Jussie paid them $4000 to stage the assault. Now we're at the point where the nigerians have been released without charges, but police wish to question Jussie again, and he has lawyered up hardcore.

You even explained it better

worworbabe:

You even explained it better

Thanks