Jo Ellis, a Black Hawk helicopter pilot with the Virginia Army National Guard, has filed a defamation lawsuit after being falsely accused of piloting a helicopter involved in a devastating mid-air crash that killed 67 people.
The incident occurred when a military Black Hawk helicopter collided with an American Airlines jet, claiming all lives on board both aircraft.
Ellis alleges she became the target of a false and malicious claim by social media influencer Matt Wallace, who has over 2.3 million followers. According to the lawsuit, Wallace posted Ellis’s photo online, wrongly identifying her as the pilot involved in the crash and labeling the tragedy a “trans terror attack.” He further suggested that Ellis intentionally caused the collision due to “depression” and “Gender Dysphoria.”
The post quickly went viral, resulting in widespread backlash and threats against Ellis. In her lawsuit, Ellis describes Wallace as a “notorious transphobe” who exploited her gender identity to push a false narrative, knowing it would attract attention. She states that he chose to target her specifically because she is a transgender pilot and had recently learned she could be discharged due to a new Executive Order.
In response to the false claims, Ellis released a video proving she was alive and uninvolved in the crash. Despite this, she says Wallace attempted to deflect blame by pointing the finger at another influencer on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
As a result of the widespread misinformation and hate generated by the post, Ellis says she now fears for her life and the safety of her family. She has since hired private security and begun carrying a firearm for protection.
Ellis is seeking unspecified damages in the lawsuit.