Jussie Smollett will open up to Good Morning America‘s Robin Roberts about his alleged assault by two unidentified men last month in Chicago.
The sit-down interview — scheduled to air Thursday — marks Smollett’s first televised comments since he said he was attacked by men yelling homophobic and racist slurs during the early hours of Jan. 29.
In a preview clip for the interview, Roberts addresses the alleged attack right out of the gate. “What happened that night?” she asks a visibly distressed Smollett.
The Empire star’s responses to Roberts’ questions are edited out of the clip, but it’s apparent he was emotional during the discussion. Smollett appeared the most upset when the GMA host asked him if he “feared” for his “life” at any point during the alleged assault, a question he replied to with tears.
Read More: Jussie Smollett Speaks Out About Chicago Attack, Addresses ‘Inaccuracies’
In addition to the details surrounding the attack, it’s possible Roberts will ask Smollet about his ongoing issues with Chicago police, and allegations that the actor’s account of the incident continues to shift.
Most recently, the Chicago PD accused him of providing authorities with redacted phone records after they asked him to provide proof that he was on the phone with his manager during the attack. A Chicago police spokesman has said the phone records were sent over as a document file, instead of original phone company logs, and the records had been altered.
They “do not meet the burden for a criminal investigation as they were limited and heavily redacted,” Sgt. Rocco Alioto told USA Today.
A rep for Smollett countered the Chicago PD’s claims on Tuesday, stating that the 36-year-old entertainer has cooperated with police.
“Jussie is the victim here, which has been stated by the Superintendent of Police,” the statement read. “Jussie has voluntarily provided his phone records from within an hour of the attack and given multiple statements to police. Chicago PD has repeatedly informed us that they find Jussie’s account of what happened that night consistent and credible.”
As for the phone records received by police on Monday, Feb. 11, they were redacted for privacy concerns, the actor’s rep claimed.
“Any redacted information was intended to protect the privacy of personal contacts or high-profile individuals not relevant to the attack,” the statement added.
Smollett — who is African-American and openly gay — was reportedly attacked by two men wearing MAGA hats while leaving a Subway restaurant.
During the incident, the perpetrators “wrapped a rope around” Smollett’s neck, police said.
The suspects then reportedly yelled “it’s MAGA country” — a reference to President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great” slogan — upon leaving the scene.
In the weeks following the alleged attack, Smollet has maintained that he’s cooperating with police.
You can watch a preview of his interview on GMA below.
Jussie Smollett speaks to Robin Roberts in ABC News exclusive interview – GMA – https://t.co/d7WHMrPSGE via @GMA
— Robert Zepeda (@RobertZepeda) February 13, 2019
Why watch? At this point, he is lying to cover a lie. He should consider a career in politics.