In a recent social media post, Michigan State Representative Matt Maddock, a Republican, alleged that he had photographic proof of “illegal invaders” arriving at Detroit Metro Airport. The evidence he presented consisted of two photos: one of an Allegiant Air plane and another of three buses.
Maddock’s post, shared on a social media platform known as X, previously Twitter, stated: “Happening right now. Three buses just loaded up with illegal invaders at Detroit Metro. Anyone have any idea where they’re headed with their police escort?”
Fact-Checking Maddock’s Claim
Contrary to Maddock’s claim, the buses were not transporting “illegal invaders”. Instead, they were carrying men’s college basketball teams that had landed at the Detroit airport to participate in the NCAA tournament, popularly known as March Madness.
The only Allegiant Air flight that arrived at the airport on Wednesday was a charter flight carrying the team from Gonzaga University, who are scheduled to play against Purdue University on Friday.
“The four men’s basketball teams competing in the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 at Little Caesars Arena arrived at DTW Wednesday evening. The buses seen in a photograph circulating online were transporting the basketball teams and their respective staffs,” clarified the Wayne County Airport Authority, which operates the Detroit Metro Airport, in an email to CNN on Thursday.
While it remains unclear which team boarded the buses shown in Maddock’s photo, Barrett Henderson, Gonzaga University’s assistant athletic director for communications, confirmed that the team flew on an Allegiant plane, landed at Detroit Metro airport on Wednesday evening, and boarded buses that were waiting at the airport.
An Allegiant spokesperson further confirmed that a charter flight carrying the Gonzaga team from Spokane, Washington, was the only Allegiant flight to the Detroit airport on Wednesday. This information is supported by an online flight-tracking website.
Maddock’s Unfounded Claims Continue
Maddock’s false allegations come amidst a surge of misleading claims about airplane flights involving migrants circulating on the political right. Despite numerous social media users challenging Maddock’s post, the representative refused to back down.
Responding to one of the many users who suggested that the plane and buses were likely for NCAA basketball teams, Maddock retorted, “Sure kommie. Good talking point.” He continued to stand by his claims on Thursday morning, stating, “We know this is happening” and alleging that hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants are “pouring into our country.”
Maddock added, “Since we can’t trust the #FakeNews to investigate, citizens will. The process of investigating these issues takes time.” CNN has reached out to Maddock for comment.