Jo Ellis, a transgender pilot with the Virginia National Guard, released a statement on Facebook as “proof of life” in response to viral online attacks falsely identifying her as one of three pilots of a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter that collided with a passenger jet near Reagan National Airport.
“There were no Virginia National Guard personnel on board the Black Hawk that collided with the jetliner Wednesday evening,” a Virginia National Guard spokesperson told Reuters.
Ellis, a Chief Warrant Officer 2, is a currently serving soldier.
From Smerconish.com:
Earlier this week, Michael interviewed our former colleague, Jo Ellis. She was formerly the Digital Media Manager of Smerconish.com. She also is a transgender member of the military. That is why she came to speak with Michael on Wednesday January 29, to discuss her exclusive Smerconish.com piece "Living to Serve, Living as Myself" in response to President Trump ordering transgender troops can not serve in the military. Then, later the same day....the tragic disaster of a Blackhawk ?Helicopter colliding with a American Airlines jet happened in Washington, DC. Fast forward to today, and unbelievable rumors circulated online and quickly went viral, suggesting Jo Ellis was the pilot of the chopper that collided with the plane. This is not true - Jo is alive and well...
Some people (okay, MAGAts) spreading the falsehood on social media (okay, X) directly referenced pResident Donald tRump’s series of EOs aimed at dismantling DEI programs.
