The twisted case of Jussie Smollett is depressing, infuriating — and should end with the maximum prison sentence. But I predict he’ll skate.

The reprehensible alleged actions of the gay, black fabulist who cried “MAGA” will be forgiven, excused and ultimately encouraged by sympathetic progressives — deemed justifiable Trumpicide.

And it will happen again. And again.

Smollett, who claimed he was attacked outdoors by a pair of racist, homophobic white Trumpsters on a frigid Jan. 29 in Chicago, transformed Wednesday from the purported target of a vicious hate crime to a lying, alleged felonious hoaxster.

But the fact that the assault seems not to have happened, at least not technically, is an insignificant detail to lefty Democratic presidential hopefuls, celebs and assorted fans, who tucked into the delicious outrage initially as if it were a three-course vegan meal.

Because Smollett has already set himself up with an alibi. He’s a marginalized person, a real-life victim of psychological assault in Donald Trump’s America.

Consider the initial reaction from the echo chamber. Both Sens. Cory Booker and Kamala Harris hysterically, and almost in unison, termed the fake drubbing of the 36-year-old “Empire’’ actor an “attempted modern-day lynching.’’

NAACP president Derrick Johnson tweeted, “The rise in hate crimes is directly linked to President Donald J. Trump’s racist and xenophobic rhetoric.” Sen. Bernie Sanders. Ex-Vice President Joe Biden. Hillary Clinton. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Rosie O’Donnell. Rob Reiner. Ellen Page! Everyone with an agenda and a microphone should be embarrassed for saying they were shocked! shocked! that such intolerance could flourish in present-day America.

But to date, not one of these illustrious characters, and many more, who virtually jumped for joy at the chance to tar President Trump with the bashing-that-wasn’t has apologized publicly to the commander-in-chief.

Almost from the start, Smollett’s version of events seemed more like an episode of “Law & Order: SVU’’ than a genuine crime. But leftist pols and like-minded members of the news media, blinded to reality by this fellow hater, convinced themselves to ignore numerous red flags.

Trump foes couldn’t get enough of it because it confirmed everything they wanted to believe: that the president is somehow responsible for all prejudice and intolerance. Smollett might not have been speaking the precise truth, but it was close enough. He gave us truthiness.

Jussie Smollett tried his best to deepen the racial divide in this nation with false and reckless claims. But I believe he’ll end up with court-ordered counseling, perhaps pay a fine. He should not get away with it. But I think he will.