In a world where rumors can spread with the click of a button, a recent incident involving a National Guard pilot has highlighted the profound impacts of misinformation. Jo Ellis, an experienced Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk pilot, found herself at the center of a defamation storm following a tragic aviation accident near Washington, D.C.
On the evening of January 29, the aviation community was rocked by news of a collision over the Potomac River that claimed the lives of all aboard both aircraft involved. The following day, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggested that diversity initiatives could have been a factor, a statement that further fueled controversy.
Jo Ellis, who is transgender, became the subject of unfounded accusations by Matthew Wallace, a prominent cryptocurrency influencer. Wallace, who boasts 2.3 million followers on X, wrongfully named Ellis as the pilot responsible, suggesting a “trans terror attack” motivated by gender dysphoria.
“My life turned upside down that morning,” said Ellis, a chief warrant officer 2 with nearly 16 years of service. The barrage of messages prompted her to release a video on Facebook to clarify her non-involvement and offer condolences to the victims’ families.
The situation escalated to the point where Ellis’ family required a security detail, and she felt unsafe without a personal firearm. This led her to file a defamation lawsuit against Wallace on April 9, accusing him of exploiting the tragedy for personal gain.
The lawsuit claims Wallace orchestrated “a destructive and irresponsible defamation campaign” on social media, a move Ellis believes is necessary to address the harm caused by such unfounded online attacks. “Loose fingers on keyboards is having a real impact to many people’s lives,” Ellis stated.
While freedom of speech is protected, written statements that harm reputations—known as libel—are legally contestable. In recent times, victims of cyber defamation have seen significant legal victories, like E. Jean Carroll and Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss.
Despite the challenges of defamation suits, Ellis’ attorney, Meg Phelan, is optimistic. “We’re going to fight as hard as we can against this in court,” Phelan affirmed, representing the Equality Legal Action Fund, which advocates for the LGBTQ+ community.
Attempts to contact Wallace have been unsuccessful, and court records indicate he has yet to appoint legal representation. The crash claimed the lives of three Black Hawk crew members: Capt. Rebecca Lobach, Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Eaves, and Staff Sgt. Ryan O’Hara.
Ellis has drawn strength from Army resiliency training to cope with the backlash, noting, “As someone who’s been to Iraq, who’s been shot at, it’s a little bit different when the whole world has a magnifying glass on you.”
Ellis intends to donate any lawsuit proceeds to the families of the crash victims, stressing the need for accountability. “The families of the crash victims don’t deserve this,” she emphasized, underscoring the broader implications of unchecked misinformation.
