Actor Jussie Smollett is speaking out for the first time about being attacked in Chicago. Here’s what the Empire star told Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts:

“I turned around and said what did you say to me and I saw the attacker masked and he said, this MAGA country [bleep] punches me right in the face so I punched his ass back then we started tussling. You know it was very icy and we ended up tussling by the stairs. Fighting, fighting, fighting, there was a second person involved who was kicking me in my back.”

When asked what he thought the motive was, he answered:

“I could only go off of their words. I mean, who says [bleep], Empire this is MAGA country. Ties a noose around your neck and pours bleach on you and this is just a friendly fight? I will never be the man that this did not happen to. I am forever changed.” 

Watch more of the interview above.