Trans woman falsely linked to DC plane crash sues influencer for defamation

Jo Ellis was thrust into the spotlight after Matthew Wallace amplified baseless claims of her involvement

A transgender woman who was erroneously identified as a helicopter pilot involved in the Washington DC crash that killed 67 people has filed a lawsuit against one of the conservative influencers who spread the false claims about her.

Jo Ellis, whom the Guardian wrote about after she was thrust into the spotlight, is suing Matthew Wallace, the person behind the X account, for defamation, claiming Wallace concocted a destructive and irresponsible defamation campaign" that monetized a false narrative" about her.