Confusion and disbelief are the two main emotions floating around social media, after claims of foul play in the Jussie Smollett investigation.

According to two law enforcement sources, with knowledge of the investigation and case, the two persons of interested, who are brothers, said Smollett paid them to carry out the attack that he reported to CPD.

Reports say, one of the brothers was Smollett’s personal trainer. Detectives showed evidence that the brothers had purchased the rope, found around Smollett’s neck, at a local hardware store.

Chicago Police tweeted, “We can confirm that the information received from the individuals quested by police in the Empire case has shifted the trajectory of the investigation.”

Right now, CPD cannot confirm or deny the allegations of this being a hoax. The two brothers were released on Friday, on no charges.

Smollett’s attorneys released a statement saying in part, “… Jussie Smollett is angered and devastated by recent reports that the perpetrators are individuals he is familiar with. He has now been further victimized by claims attributed to these alleged perpetrators that Jussie played a role in his own attack. Nothing is further from the truth and anyone claiming otherwise is lying.

President Donald Trump tweeted about the investigation saying Smollett manufactured this crime to make Trump supports look bad.

CPD is looking to speak to Smollett as early as Monday.