Transgender Helicopter Pilot Suing Conservative Personality for Libel
A Transgender Pilot's Battle Against Online Defamation
In a bid for justice, a transgender Black Hawk pilot named Jo Ellis has brought a defamation lawsuit against conservative social media influencer, Matthew Wallace. The lawsuit alleges Wallace concocted a destructive and irresponsible defamation campaign, monetizing a false narrative about Ellis.
Catapulted into the spotlight due to a mid-air collision between a Black Hawk helicopter and a commercial American Eagle flight near Washington, D.C., Ellis was mistakenly linked to the disaster. Wallace, a popular social media influencer, publicly identified Ellis as the helicopter's pilot, portraying her as an underqualified "DEI hire."
Ellis's legal team states that Wallace, with a following of over 2 million, significantly amplified the false narrative, with millions more likely to have seen Ellis's photograph through retweets and shares. This misidentification, according to the lawsuit, led to credible death threats and intolerable suffering for Ellis and her family.
"He was one of the largest platforms with the most followers to really publicize this and put it out here, and so that it went viral," attorney Meg Phelan told The Guardian. "It seemed very strategic, so that was really why we zeroed in on Matt Wallace."
The crash, which caused the deaths of 67 individuals with no survivors, did not involve Ellis in any capacity. Ellis has reportedly experienced a significant change in her life as a result of the alleged defamation, feeling her story was overshadowing the tragedy and causing further suffering to the families of the victims.
"Too many times do people who have big platforms get to do this to innocent people and drag them through the mud and get away with it," Ellis said. "And I have a unique opportunity to actually hold someone accountable."
Ellis serves in the Virginia national guard but fears the publicity she has received may jeopardize her safety. "When I move through life now, I'm recognized," she said. "I'm not too far from DC, so if I go up there, people recognize me, and I kind of have to look over my shoulder because of the anti-trans rhetoric."
The case sheds light on the issues of online misinformation, defamation, and its impact on individuals, especially those from vulnerable groups. Ellis asserts that this case might set a precedent for holding online influencers accountable for the consequences of their words, especially when they aim to stir up anger and impact someone's life.
Sources:- The Guardian, March 10, 2023: Pilot sues influencer over false claims linked to DC plane crash- Various media outlets, March 11, 2023: Pilot sues Social Media Influencer over False Claims- Guardian, March 12, 2023: Transgender pilot takes legal action against conservative influencer
Enrichment Data:- Case Details: The case involves Jo Ellis, a transgender Black Hawk pilot, suing Matt Wallace, a conservative social media influencer, over defamation allegations from false identification related to an aviation incident.- Broad Social Implications: The lawsuit touches on broader issues, including the treatment of transgender individuals in public discourse, the role of influencers in shaping public opinion, and the need for accuracy and responsibility in online speech.- Legal and Media Implications: The case could have significant legal and media implications, highlighting the challenges faced by individuals when dealing with false accusations online and the need for verification and fact-checking in reporting.
The lawsuit targets Matthew Wallace, a social media influencer, for monetizing a false narrative about Jo Ellis, a transgender Black Hawk pilot, which led to damaging entertainment on social media platforms. The false allegations, portraying Ellis as an underqualified pilot involved in a mid-air collision, caused credible death threats and intolerable suffering for Ellis and her family.
