Ann Coulter says all hate crimes “are hoaxes” in response to Jussie Smollett news
It came after Donald Trump called Smollett "racist" in a tweet
Ann Coulter has responded to news that Jussie Smollett has been accused of faking an anti-gay, racist attack by calling all hate crimes “hoaxes.”
The right-wing pundit and author, who has built a successful career out of controversial statements and opinions, tweeted after news broke that Smollett had surrendered himself to Chicago police.
Smollett has been charged with one count of disorderly conduct, and police are alleging that he staged an anti-gay and racist attack on Jan. 29 because “he was dissatisfied with his salary.”
Coulter, who two years ago said it was “more credible” that homosexuality caused Hurricane Harvey, responded to the Smollett news by saying that all hate crimes are fake.
“Alright, this particular hate crime turned out to be a hoax,” Coulter tweeted, “but let’s remember, ALL OF THEM are hoaxes.”
Alright, this particular hate crime turned out to be a hoax, but let's remember, ALL OF THEM are hoaxes. #Smollett
— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) February 21, 2019
Coulter’s tweet came after Donald Trump called Smollett “racist” in a tweet.
“.@JussieSmollett – what about MAGA and the tens of millions of people you insulted with your racist and dangerous comments!? #MAGA,” Trump tweeted.
.@JussieSmollett – what about MAGA and the tens of millions of people you insulted with your racist and dangerous comments!? #MAGA
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 21, 2019
However, despite Coulter’s inflammatory tweet, the FBI says that the number of hate crimes reported to the bureau increased by about 17% in 2017 compared with 2016.
According to the report, the most common bias categories in single-bias incidents were race/ethnicity/ancestry (59.6%), religion (20.6%), and sexual orientation (15.8%).
Acceptance of LGBTQ people is also declining under the Trump administration. GLAAD’s Accelerating Acceptance report last year found that acceptance of LGBTQ people in the U.S. fell for the first time since the report began.
In addition, the number of LGBTQ experiencing discrimination rose year-on-year, up 11% over 2017.
Speaking to Metro Weekly this week (prior to Smollett being charged by police), GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said there was “no question” that hate violence exists in America.
“There’s no question that racism, homophobia, and hate violence exist today and urgently need action taken against them,” said Ellis. “We need to make sure that those very real issues and threats are not forgotten.”
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