US prosecutors have today dropped all criminal charges against Empire star Jussie Smollett over claims he staged a "racist" attack to raise his profile.

Smollett, 36, was arrested on disorderly conduct charges for allegedly staging a "phony" attack and claiming he was the victim of a hate crime.

However, now all charges have been dropped against the actor by prosecutors in Chicago – in news that has rocked America.

Smollett's attorneys Tina Glandian and Patricia Brown Holmes said in a statement that their client's record has now "been wiped clean."

The extraordinary twist comes after Smollett, who is black and openly gay, told police he was attacked while walking home around 2am on January 29.

He claimed two masked men – one wearing a red MAGA-style hat – shouted racist and homophobic slurs as they beat him, put a noose around his neck, and poured bleach on him.

The star claimed they hollered: "This is MAGA country", a reference to Donald Trump's 'Make America Great Again' campaign slogan.

It was later claimed Smollett had directed the men – who were brothers – to buy the noose at a hardware store and the hat and masks at a store in Uptown Chicago.

Police said the pair wore gloves during the staged attack, and did punch Smollett, but the scratches and bruises on Smollett’s face were most likely self-inflicted.

Cops at the time said the attack was a publicity stunt because the actor was upset about his pay on the hit show.

Initial reports of the assault led to a huge backlash against Trump supporters in the US with one headline claiming the attack was “far right America’s endgame”.

That theme was echoed by other news outlets and backed up by dozens of editorial pieces about how racist and homophobic America had become.

A furious President Trump was, not surprisingly, then quick to lay into Smollett after Chicago police arrested him over the fake attack allegations.

"@JussieSmollett – what about MAGA and the tens of millions of people you insulted with your racist and dangerous comments!?" the President tweeted, adding the hashtag '#MAGA.'

When news of the attack first emerged days earlier, Smollett was inundated with support across the political divide.

DIVIDED A NATION

However, as it emerged that Smollett "knew his attackers" and may have even been involved in the staging of the attack, the celebrities and politicians who rushed to support him went quiet.

This afternoon's news that Smollett is now in the clear has left many Americans baffled – and is reported to have infuriated cops in Chicago.

“Today, all criminal charges against Jussie Smollett were dropped and his record has been wiped clean of the filing of this tragic complaint against him,” said Smollett’s legal team.

"He was a victim who was vilified and made to appear as a perpetrator as a result of false and inappropriate remarks made to the public causing an inappropriate rush to judgement."

Smollett’s spokesperson said his record would be “fully expunged” following the decision.

“Jussie and many others were hurt by these unfair and unwarranted actions. This entire situation is a reminder that there should never be an attempt to prove a case in the court of public opinion. That is wrong, " Anne Kavanaugh stated in an email.

"It is a reminder that a victim, in this case Jussie, deserves dignity and respect. Dismissal of charges against the victim in this case was the only just result.

“Jussie is relieved to have this situation behind him and is very much looking forward to getting back to focusing on his family, friends and career.”

The Cook County State's Attorney's office said : "After reviewing all of the facts and circumstances of the case, including Mr Smollett's volunteer service in the community and agreement to forfeit his bond, we believe this outcome is a just disposition and appropriate resolution to this case"

Smollett was accused of lying to police when he told them two men unleashed a racist and homophobic attack on him in the city.

Each of the 16 counts against him covered various alleged acts that Smollett falsely described to the officers.

Officers at the time said the attack was a publicity stunt because the actor was upset about his pay on the show.

However, a spokesman for the Chicago Police Department said today: “All questions about that need to be directed to the State’s Attorney’s Office.”

Smollett had denied all the allegations against him and even went on Good Morning America to protest his innocence.

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