Jo Ellis, the trans helicopter pilot who was incorrectly identified as causing the Washington DC crash that killed 67 people, is to sue Matthew Wallace – a conservative influencer who spread the false claims to his 2million+ followers. Ellis, who will donate any monetary damages she receives to the
Jo Ellis, the trans helicopter pilot who was incorrectly identified as causing the Washington DC crash that killed 67 people, is to sue Matthew Wallace – a conservative influencer who spread the false claims to his 2million+ followers.
Ellis, who will donate any monetary damages she receives to the families of the victims, is suing Wallace for defamation, claiming he “concocted a destructive and irresponsible defamation campaign”.
The January crash, which coincided with Trump’s attack on diversity, equity, and inclusion programmes across the United States, led to a swarm of claims that diversity was to blame. Ellis, who was not involved in the crash in any way, dispelled the rumours by posting a video showing she was alive.
Meg Phelan, Ellis’s attorney, said Wallace is believed to be the first person to have shared Ellis’s likeness, though tracking social media posts has been difficult because many were subsequently deleted.
“He was one of the largest platforms with the most followers to really publicise this and put it out there, and so that it went viral. It seemed very strategic, so that was really why we zeroed in on Matt Wallace,” Phelan said.
Speaking at the time, Ellis said increased public profile had created safety concerns for herself and her family.
“Sadly, my life is just different entirely, because when I move through life now, I’m recognised,” Ellis said. “I’m not too far from DC, so if I go up there, people recognise me, and I kind of have to look over my shoulder because of the anti-trans rhetoric.
“I don’t know if I’m going to be recognised by someone who’s friendly or someone who doesn’t like the fact that I’m in the military and I’m trans.”
