Transgender Military Pilot Refutes False Claims Linking Her to Deadly D.C. Helicopter Crash
Jo Ellis Posts 'Proof of Life' Video Amid Misinformation Spread on Social Media
Jo Ellis, a transgender military pilot with the Virginia Army National Guard, posted a "proof of life" video on Friday to debunk false rumors suggesting she was the pilot of the Black Hawk helicopter involved in a deadly midair collision near Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday evening. The crash, which also involved a commercial jetliner, tragically killed all 67 people aboard both aircrafts.
In the video, Ellis directly addressed the false claims that had spread across social media. "I understand some people have associated me with the crash in D.C., and that is false," Ellis said, visibly emotional. "It is insulting to the families to try to tie this to some sort of political agenda. They don’t deserve that. I don’t deserve this. And I hope that you all know that I am alive and well, and this should be sufficient for you all to end all the rumors."
Prior to posting the video, Ellis shared a screenshot on her Facebook of a misleading post on social media that falsely identified her as the pilot of the Black Hawk. The post included two photos of Ellis alongside the claim that she was involved in the crash.
The Virginia National Guard confirmed that Ellis, a Chief Warrant Officer 2, is a currently serving member and clarified that no personnel from the Virginia National Guard were aboard the helicopter involved in the crash.
Several websites, including the Santa Monica Observer and The Express Tribune, initially spread the misinformation, with the Observer incorrectly reporting that Ellis was on board the helicopter and suggesting the crash could have been intentional. While the Observer later updated its article, The Express Tribune had yet to correct its report as of Friday.
The misinformation campaign was amplified by Grok, an AI chatbot integrated into the social media platform X, which initially included the false claim in its summary of the crash. The chatbot has since corrected the summary, properly identifying the pilots involved.
Ellis, who previously wrote an op-ed about her experience as a transgender service member, appeared on The Smerconish Podcast earlier this week and discussed the challenges she faces as a member of the military under changing political climates. "I want to keep my head down, serve, serve honorably and then eventually retire," she said during the interview.
The incident is the latest in a growing trend of false accusations against transgender individuals in the wake of mass shootings and other tragic events. Similar baseless claims have been spread after shootings in Uvalde, Texas, Nashville, Tennessee, and other locations, often linking the shooters to the transgender or LGBTQ communities without evidence.
In the wake of these rumors, advocates for transgender rights have called for greater accountability, as the misinformation contributes to an increasingly hostile environment for trans people. Laws restricting trans rights, including access to healthcare, sports participation, and identity documents, have been passed in several states in recent years, intensifying the climate of discrimination.
As the investigation into the D.C. crash continues, Jo Ellis' message remains clear: she hopes her "proof of life" video will bring an end to the rumors and allow the families of the victims to grieve without the added weight of baseless allegations.