Washington, D.C. – A transgender National Guard pilot has spoken out after being falsely accused on social media of piloting the Black Hawk helicopter involved in the catastrophic midair collision with a passenger jet near Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night. The crash, which claimed the lives of all 67 individuals aboard both aircraft, has become the center of misinformation campaigns targeting Jo Ellis, a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter pilot for the Virginia Army National Guard.

Ellis addressed the false allegations in a strongly worded Facebook post on Friday, denouncing the baseless claims that quickly gained traction online.

“Some craziness has happened on the internet, and I’m being named as one of the pilots of the D.C. crash,” Ellis wrote. “It’s insulting to the victims and families of those lost, and they deserve better than this BS from the bots and trolls of the internet.”

The misinformation spread rapidly across social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), where several accounts falsely claimed that Ellis had been the pilot of the ill-fated military aircraft. The false allegations were fueled by speculation and politically motivated narratives, including rhetoric from former President Donald Trump, who suggested in a public statement that “woke policies in the military” were responsible for the crash. His remarks were widely condemned by aviation and military experts, who emphasized that investigations into the incident were still in their early stages.

Origins of the False Accusations

Screenshots shared by Ellis showed multiple social media users speculating about the gender identity of the Black Hawk pilot. One post read, “Wouldn’t be surprised if the pilot was trans,” while another falsely claimed that Ellis had made “radicalized anti-Trump statements” on social media. The latter post was later deleted after the user issued an apology, but not before accumulating thousands of interactions.

A particularly viral post by an anonymous right-wing account on X asserted, without evidence, that “Jo Ellis, a trans-identifying National Guard pilot, was at the controls during the deadly collision.” This post, alongside several others, led to Ellis’ name trending on the platform, with over 19,400 mentions in a matter of hours.

Ellis took to social media once more to provide further clarification, posting a video titled “Proof of Life,” in which she confirmed she was alive and not involved in the tragic crash.

“I’m not in D.C., I wasn’t in that helicopter, and I certainly didn’t cause the deaths of 67 people,” Ellis stated in the video. “The truth matters, and spreading lies like this only causes harm.”

Reactions from Officials and Advocacy Groups

Despite Ellis’ clear denials, some far-right social media accounts continued to propagate the false narrative, leading to an outpouring of support from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, fellow service members, and public officials.

“Jo Ellis is an outstanding soldier who has served with distinction,” said Major General Timothy P. Williams of the Virginia Army National Guard. “These baseless attacks are not only harmful to her but also disrespect the memories of those who actually lost their lives in the crash.”

GLAAD, an LGBTQ+ media advocacy organization, released a statement condemning the false accusations as “an attempt to exploit a tragedy to further transphobic misinformation.”

“It is despicable that certain individuals would use this heartbreaking event as an opportunity to spread hateful and baseless claims,” the statement read. “We stand with Jo Ellis and urge social media platforms to take immediate action against the spread of false information.”

The Ongoing Investigation

While the National Guard has not directly commented on the misinformation surrounding Ellis, they have confirmed that the actual pilots of the UH-60 Black Hawk involved in the crash were Captain Daniel Mercer and Chief Warrant Officer Scott Reynolds, both of whom perished in the collision.

According to preliminary reports from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the midair collision occurred when American Eagle Flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines for American Airlines, was descending toward Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. At the same time, the Black Hawk helicopter was on a routine training flight. Officials are investigating whether a miscommunication between air traffic control and the military aircraft played a role in the tragic incident.

Impact of Misinformation and Calls for Accountability

The false allegations against Ellis highlight a broader issue regarding misinformation and its rapid spread on social media platforms. Advocacy groups, military officials, and media watchdogs have called on tech companies to take stronger measures in preventing the amplification of false claims.

Media analyst Dr. Rachel Brennan of Georgetown University noted that the viral nature of the accusations against Ellis is indicative of a “larger systemic issue where misinformation is weaponized against marginalized communities.”

“This is not just an attack on one individual; it’s part of a larger pattern where trans individuals are scapegoated in national tragedies, regardless of the facts,” Brennan said. “We’ve seen similar narratives play out in other contexts, and social media companies must do more to address this kind of targeted harassment.”

X CEO Linda Yaccarino responded to the controversy, stating that the platform is “reviewing flagged posts” and will “take action against accounts found to be spreading deliberate misinformation.” However, critics remain skeptical of the company’s ability to effectively curb the spread of false narratives.

Ellis Speaks Out: “I Refuse to Be Their Scapegoat”

Despite the targeted harassment, Ellis remains defiant and committed to her service. In a follow-up statement posted on Instagram, she reaffirmed her dedication to her role as a pilot and dismissed the attacks against her as politically motivated.

“I refuse to be their scapegoat,” Ellis wrote. “This has nothing to do with me, but everything to do with their desire to exploit tragedy for their own agenda. I will not let them win.”

Conclusion

As the official investigation into the midair collision continues, Jo Ellis’ experience serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of misinformation and the real-life consequences of viral falsehoods. While Ellis has received overwhelming support from fellow service members, advocacy groups, and the public, the incident underscores the urgent need for accountability in how information spreads online.

For now, Ellis remains focused on her service and hopes that the attention surrounding the tragedy will shift back to the real victims—the 67 lives lost in the crash and their grieving families.

“Let’s remember the people who actually lost their lives and stop wasting energy on lies,” Ellis urged in her final message. “They deserve justice, not this circus.”