Michigan state representative Matt Maddock falsely claimed on social media that buses were seen carrying “illegal invaders” at Detroit Metro Airport. The photos he posted showed an Allegiant Air plane and three buses, but in reality, these were for men’s college basketball teams arriving for the NCAA tournament. The Wayne County Airport Authority confirmed that the buses were transporting the basketball teams and their respective staffs, not illegal immigrants. The Gonzaga University team, which arrived on the Allegiant plane, received a police escort to their hotel, as did the Creighton University team.
Maddock’s claim about “illegal invaders” receiving a police escort was debunked as the buses were actually transporting NCAA basketball teams. Despite being corrected by social media users, Maddock continued to push his false narrative, ignoring the evidence. Maddock insisted that his claims were valid, stating that illegal immigrants are entering the country in large numbers. He challenged the mainstream media to investigate these issues and claimed that citizens would have to uncover the truth themselves. It is unclear if Maddock will retract his statement in light of the evidence provided by the Wayne County Airport Authority and the basketball teams involved.
The Allegiant Air flight mentioned in Maddock’s post was a charter flight carrying the Gonzaga University team to Detroit for the NCAA tournament. The team landed at the Detroit airport and boarded buses waiting for them, contrary to Maddock’s claim of them being “illegal invaders.” The only Allegiant flight to the Detroit airport on that day was the one carrying the basketball team, as confirmed by a flight-tracking website. Despite the evidence pointing to the true nature of the buses and plane, Maddock continues to stand by his false assertion, further perpetuating misinformation on social media.
While Maddock made his false claim during a time when misinformation about airplane flights involving migrants was prevalent, the truth remains that the buses were for NCAA basketball teams, not “illegal invaders.” Maddock’s refusal to acknowledge the error, despite being corrected by numerous users, demonstrates a concerning trend of misinformation spreading online. It is essential for public figures like Maddock to be held accountable for spreading false information and to prioritize fact-checking before making inflammatory claims on social media. Moving forward, it is crucial for individuals to rely on credible sources and verify information before sharing it online to prevent the dissemination of misinformation.
The Wayne County Airport Authority clarified that the buses seen in Maddock’s photos were indeed transporting basketball teams, not illegal immigrants. The Gonzaga University team, which arrived on an Allegiant plane, received a police escort to their hotel after landing at the Detroit airport. With evidence contradicting Maddock’s claim, it is important for public officials to be cautious when making statements on social media, as inaccurate information can have far-reaching consequences. Maddock’s persistence in promoting false narratives despite being proven wrong highlights the need for accountability and accuracy in public discourse to combat the spread of misinformation. It is crucial for individuals to verify the facts before sharing information online and to challenge falsehoods to maintain the integrity of public discourse.
