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Photo by screengrab via ABC news video

A few weeks ago, Jussie Smollett was brutally attacked at the expense of what is now being considered a hate crime. The actor recently sat down with Robin Roberts on Good Morning America to say that he’s “p*ssed” about the whole situation.

“It’s the attackers, but also the attacks,” he said. “It’s not necessarily that you don’t believe that this is the truth, you don’t even want to see the truth.” Watch the interview below:

He went on to say that it’s not that people don’t believe the truth it’s that they don’t want to see it, which is the sad part.

“I will never be the man that this did not happen to,” said the 36-year-old. “I am forever changed. I don’t subscribe to the idea everything happens for a reason, but I do subscribe to the idea that we have the right and the responsibility to make something meaningful out of the things that happen to us, good and bad.”

The Empire star also recalled the incident, from his point of view, after leaving a Subway while on the phone with his manager: “While he was on the phone, I heard as I was crossing the intersection, I heard ‘Empire!’ I don’t answer to ‘Empire,’ my name ain’t ‘Empire.’ I didn’t answer, I kept walking. I heard ‘F*ck Empire, n*gger,’…so I turned around. And I see the attacker, masked. And he says, ‘This MAGA country,’ and punches me in the face.” The singer also mentioned that a bleach-smelling liquid was poured on him, and a noose put around his neck.

And when asked about why it took him so long to reach out to the police, his answer was met with a ton of emotions:

As to why he believes he was assaulted, according to Deadline, the California native responded, “I come really, really hard against 45. I come really, really hard against his administration, and I don’t hold my tongue.” Shortly after his interview, authorities reported they have identified “persons of interest in the area,” but they are “not yet suspects,” in terms of his aggressors.

Prior to this interview, his family opened up about the horrid event:

GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis released a statement which expressed the realities of Jussie’s situation, according to E! News, she said: “Jussie Smollett was victimized first in a hate-motivated and violent attack in Chicago and has since been doubly victimized as the subject of speculation by the media industry and broader culture. Jussie is rising above hate, racism, homophobia, and doubt surrounding the attack and instead using his voice and talent to fight back against the rising rates of violence against Black and LGBTQ people, as well as those who live at the intersection of those identities.”

And as for speaking up now, Smollett wanted his truth to be known, “‘Cause everybody has their own idea. Some are healing and some are hurtful, but I just want young people, young members of the LGBTQ community — young, black children — to know how strong they are,” he said, according to Yahoo! News.

TELL US: Do you think they’ll find Jussie’s attackers?

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