Key Takeaways:
- Jo Ellis, a transgender pilot, faces threats due to false online claims linking her to a fatal air crash.
- She now carries a gun for safety and has had to secure her home with armed guards.
- Ellis’s military career is at risk due to a Pentagon memo targeting transgender troops.
- She has been a victim of disinformation and political attacks against the transgender community.
- Ellis is determined to continue her military service despite the challenges.
Trans Pilot Faces Threats Amid False Claims and Military Policy Changes
Jo Ellis, a 35-year-old transgender pilot in the Virginia Army National Guard, is living in fear. False online claims have linked her to a deadly air crash, and she’s now receiving countless threats. To protect herself, she carries a gun wherever she goes and has hired armed guards to secure her home.
The situation began when a fatal helicopter crash in late January killed everyone on board. Social media posts falsely claimed Ellis was one of the pilots involved. These posts, shared on platforms like Facebook and X, spread quickly. Some even suggested the crash was a “trans terror attack.”
Ellis first learned about the rumors when her friends sent her screenshots of the false claims. One post accused her of being the pilot who “killed those people in the crash.” Another asked if it was a “trans terror attack.”
As the rumors grew, Ellis’s name began trending on X, owned by Elon Musk. She even received a call from a British newspaper reporter asking if she was alive. Fearing for her family’s safety, Ellis moved them to a new location and shared a “proof of life” video on Facebook.
Threats and Fears
Ellis, who has served in the National Guard since 2009, is now constantly on guard. She carries a small gun in her purse and has armed security protecting her home.
“I arranged armed private security for my house and packed my bags,” she said. “When I noticed how big the issue was, my first thought was, ‘Is my family safe?’”
The false claims have also included baseless accusations that Ellis’s hatred for President Donald Trump motivated her to cause the crash. This is especially strange because Ellis, who comes from a conservative family that supported Trump, has voted “red more than blue” in the past.
Job Uncertainty
Adding to Ellis’s stress is uncertainty about her military career. A recent Pentagon memo states that transgender troops will be banned from serving unless they receive a special waiver. This policy, part of a series of anti-trans executive orders signed by Trump, has left Ellis’s future in the military hanging in the balance.
Ellis’s supervisors have offered support, but they informed her that the new policy hasn’t yet been applied at their level. For now, they encouraged her to keep doing her job.
“It’s upsetting, but I will continue to place the mission first and do my job,” Ellis said. “I’m not sure I meet the criteria for a waiver, but I will try to exhaust all options that allow me to continue serving.”
Ellis has been open about her transition. She began transitioning in 2023 and received “overwhelming support” from her unit the following year. However, the current political climate has made her question whether she can continue serving.
“If I was serving today and was not out, I would consider not coming out or leaving the military,” she said. “It doesn’t seem like the military is an environment where you can serve effectively with these policies.”
The Broader Impact
Ellis’s story highlights the real-life consequences of disinformation and anti-trans rhetoric. At a time when political attacks on the transgender community are on the rise, Ellis is determined to fight for her rights and continue her service.
“We’re being vilified as this kind of boogeyman,” she said. “I believe we’re a target right now.”
Despite the challenges, Ellis remains committed to her military career and hopes to find a way to continue serving. Her bravery in the face of threats and discrimination serves as a powerful reminder of the struggles faced by transgender individuals in the U.S. today.
