Photo credit: www.theguardian.com

Transgender Woman Sues Influencer for Defamation Over Helicopter Crash Misidentification

A transgender woman has taken legal action against a conservative influencer after being incorrectly named as a helicopter pilot involved in a tragic crash in Washington, D.C., which resulted in the loss of 67 lives.

Jo Ellis, who gained media attention following the incident, is suing Matthew Wallace, the operator of an X account, for defamation. According to her complaint, Wallace initiated a “destructive and irresponsible defamation campaign” that profited from the circulation of a “false narrative” about her.

Ellis is being represented by the Equality Legal Action Fund, and the lawsuit was filed in federal court in Colorado, where Wallace reportedly resides. The incident in question occurred on January 29, involving a helicopter colliding with a commercial airplane, leading to extensive speculation that diversity played a role in the crash’s causes.

Despite being a qualified Black Hawk pilot with the Virginia National Guard, Ellis had no connection to the crash. In an effort to counter the misinformation, she released a video confirming her safety, as all individuals involved in the crash sadly perished.

At the time, her name was trending on social media, with Wallace sharing posts to his two million followers that identified her as the pilot and, in some instances, included her photograph. While he did not originate the false claims, he significantly magnified them, leading to severe repercussions for Ellis.

The lawsuit states that Ellis has received numerous threats, including what she described as “credible death threats,” along with a barrage of transphobic messages. “The sudden notoriety has inflicted substantial suffering on Plaintiff and her family,” the lawsuit asserts. Ellis expressed distress that her circumstances inadvertently overshadowed the tragic events of the crash, potentially exacerbating the grief of those who lost loved ones. She also noted her concern for both her and her family’s safety.

Although Wallace attempted to rectify the misinformation after the release of Ellis’ video, the lawsuit claims his subsequent tweets merely served to “excuse” the spread of the misinformation.

Previously, Ellis led a private life but now finds herself thrust into the public eye due to the unearned notoriety fostered by Wallace. The suit argues that, as a transgender woman, she is acutely aware of the risks posed to her safety by the hostility elicited by these falsehoods.

In an interview with the New York Times, Ellis noted that any monetary compensation she might receive from the lawsuit would be donated to the families affected by the crash.

“I believe in free speech, but I also believe there should be consequences for that free speech,” she stated. “If you can incite a mob with falsehoods, that’s your right. However, once that mob turns against someone, there must be accountability.”

Source
www.theguardian.com