It's looking increasingly like Smollett staged a dangerously devisive stunt for his own self-aggrandizement

I generally only have so much interest in "well, well looky here" gotcha-type stories, but if Jussie Smollett's story about being the victim of a "hate crime" (a category of law violation that should not exist) is unraveling into a hoax, as appears to be the case, it really is just deserts.

Two law enforcement sources with knowledge of the investigation tell CNN that Chicago Police believe actor Jussie Smollett paid two men to orchestrate an assault on him that he reported late last month.

Smollett denies playing a role in his attack, according to a statement from his attorneys.

The men, who are brothers, were arrested Wednesday but released without charges Friday after Chicago police cited the discovery of "new evidence."

The sources told CNN the two men are now cooperating fully with law enforcement.

We're polarized enough in this country without people making up stories about MAGA hats and bleach and nooses just to try to mainstream their unconventional sex lives and perpetuate the falsehood that there is still rampant systemic bigotry in this country.

It's important to qualify what's being said here with the statement that there is still a small possibility that Smollett's story holds up.

But it sure doesn't seem likely, and if he did orchestrate a hoax, he's a particularly odious type of post-American, making us more atomized and bitter than had been the case before he cooked it up. In other words, if he made this up, he has no interest in an improved societal climate in this country - in fact, no scope of concern beyond his own narcissistic self-delusion.