Conservatives question reports of 'noose' found at Obama library construction site
A $100,000 reward has been issued to find the culprit
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Conservatives reacted with skepticism on social media after construction at the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago was temporarily halted due to a noose reportedly being found at the site.
"Definitely a hate crime," conservative commentator Matt Walsh sarcastically tweeted in response to a New York Post report that construction at the former president’s library was halted after a noose was allegedly found.
"I can't imagine any other reason why a rope would be on a construction site. Also, this is Chicago. It's not a place known for hate crime hoaxes," Walsh added.
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Walsh’s reference to the infamous hate crime hoax in Chicago involving Empire actor Jussie Smollet who claimed he was attacked by two Trump supporters in the middle of a snowstorm in 2019 before ultimately being convicted of staging a hate crime.
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"I’ll take ‘hate crime hoaxes’ for $3,500, Alex," Townhall’s Scott Morefield tweeted.
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"I’m guessing this is #FakeNoose" author Dinesh D’Souza tweeted.
"Surreeeee," Fox News contributor Lisa Boothe tweeted.
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Lakeside Alliance, the company building the $830 million dollar presidential center, told the New York Post it immediately halted construction and notified police after a noose was discovered at the worksite on Thursday morning.
"We are horrified that this would occur on our site and are offering a $100,000 reward to help find the individual or individuals responsible for this shameful act. Lakeside Alliance remains committed to providing a work environment where everyone can feel safe, be their best self, and is treated with dignity and respect," the company’s statement said.
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The Obama Foundation told the New York Post the incident was "a shameless act of cowardice" and Illinois’ Democratic Gov. J.B Pritzker called it "a heart-stopping reminder of the violence and terror inflicted on Black Americans for centuries."
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The Chicago Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.