Fox & Friends hosts repeatedly warn viewers Justin Smollett hoax could have caused 'race riots'

The hosts of "Fox & Friends" reacted to news that actor Jussie Smollett faked a hate crime by suggesting the hoax could have provoked race riots.

The "Empire" star claimed he was violently attacked last month by two Trump supporters hurling racist and anti-gay slurs, but police say Smollett staged the assault and have arrested him.

"Remember the potential, if this had been true," Kilmeade warned Fox News viewers, "of maybe even race riots in major cities across this country."

Conservative radio host William Kelly, a Chicago native, agreed with Kilmeade's dark warnings of "race riots," and then co-host Ainsley Earhardt picked up the thread.

"Think about how this could have blown up," she said. "Like you mentioned, it could have caused riots."