Jo Ellis, a Virginia Army National Guard helicopter pilot, was mistakenly linked to a Black Hawk crash . Following widespread social media backlash, Ellis, who is transgender, posted a video online. She reassured people she was alive and was not involved in the Black Hawk helicopter accident.
A now-deleted January 31 post on X misidentified Ellis as the Black Hawk pilot. False reports claimed she tried to hit three planes before colliding over the Potomac. One day earlier, Ellis appeared on a podcast criticizing Trump’s military transgender ban.
A military official confirmed three US Army soldiers were aboard the crashed helicopter. American Airlines reported 60 passengers and four crew members on its affected plane. Authorities recovered 67 bodies but did not expect any survivors from the accident.
Ellis denied involvement in a Facebook video, calling the claims completely false. She condemned those exploiting the tragedy for political purposes. “These families deserve better,” Ellis said, rejecting efforts to link her to the crash.
Misinformation spread quickly, fueled by Trump and supporters blaming “D.E.I. programs.” Thousands on X shared Ellis’s pictures and personal details, making her a trending topic. Trends24 reported “Jo Ellis” ranked second in the U.S. with nearly 90,000 posts.
The Department of Defense confirmed the names of two deceased pilots in the Black Hawk Crash . The Pentagon withheld a third pilot’s identity per the family’s request. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp honored the fallen pilots, Ryan O’Hara and Sam Lilley. He praised their passion for flying and dedication to serving others. Kemp called the tragedy especially painful given their young lives were cut short.