Trump-endorsed Michigan GOP Matt Maddock says buses carrying Gonzaga’s March Madness team from Detroit Airport are actually filled with ‘illegal invaders’ in humiliating error
Michigan State Rep. Matt Maddock confused the Gonzaga men’s basketball team buses with “illegal trespassers.”
The Bulldogs landed at Detroit Metro Airport on Wednesday night ahead of their Sweet 16 game against top-seeded Purdue at Little Caesar’s Arena in Detroit on Friday.
However, the team’s arrival in The Motor City drew the ire of GOP Rep. Maddock.
Maddock, who claims he is endorsed by former President Donald Trump in his
He claimed the buses, which appeared to be under police escort, were packed with “illegal intruders.”
Michigan State Rep. Matt Maddock mistook the Gonzaga men’s basketball team buses for “illegal intruders” on Wednesday night
Maddock shared photos of the team buses at Detroit Metro Airport and claimed they were full of “illegal intruders,” forcing X’s fact-checker to issue a correction
The Bulldogs arrived in Detroit ahead of their Sweet 16 matchup against top-seeded Purdue
‘It’s happening now. Three buses have just been loaded with illegal trespassers at metro Detroit. Does anyone have any idea where they’re going with their police escort?’ he posted, tagging Michigan GOP Chairman Pete Hoekstra.
But Maddock, an election denier who has predicted a new American civil war, was humiliated when X’s fact-checker was forced to add a footnote to his post clarifying that the buses were in fact transporting the basketball team and not illegal immigrants.
“The buses and police escort are for the Gonzaga University men’s basketball team, which plays a Sweet Sixteen game Friday at Little Caesar’s Arena in Detroit. 3/29,” the warning read, adding four links to tweets that corrected Maddock’s post.
Despite being corrected by the social media platform, Maddock doubled down on his claim on Thursday morning.
‘We know this is happening. Hundreds of thousands of illegals are pouring into our country,” he added in the thread below.
“We know it’s happening in Michigan. Our own governor is offering money to take them in! Since we can’t trust the #FakeNews to investigate, citizens will. The process of investigating these issues takes time.”
Wayne County Airport Authority – also known as Detroit Metro – also attempted to debunk Maddock’s claims Thursday afternoon and issued clarification.
“The four men’s basketball teams participating in the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 at Little Caesars Arena arrived at DTW Wednesday evening. The buses seen in a photo circulating online were transporting the basketball teams and their respective staff members,” the WCAA said.
Maddock, who claims he is supported by Donald Trump, doubled down on his claim on Thursday
According to Flight conscious, only one Allegiant flight landed at DTW on Wednesday, landing at 7:26 p.m. – about an hour before Maddock placed his claim.
The three buses did receive a police escort to the team hotel, which is standard procedure for traveling teams.
Social media users have criticized Maddock for his claim in the replies to his first post.
“Probably teams for the NCAA Mens Sweet 16 playing Friday and Sunday at LCA,” one user wrote along with some clown emojis, to which Maddock replied, “Sure commie. Good topic of conversation.’
“That plane came from Spokane Washington Home of Gonzaga who happens to be playing in Detroit for the sweet 16,” another user wrote. “Those buses are for the team and their equipment. If you are afraid of human trafficking on the TL, you better go one step further.’
“You know it’s a basketball team, right?” asked another account called “Lynda hates GOP thugs.” ‘You sound hysterical and hormonal. Typical MAGA snowflake.”
Another chimed in, adding, “I’m just trying to figure out why so many people accidentally put your name on a ballot.”
Social media users have criticized Maddock for his claim in the reply to his first post
‘Thanks for the warning. Those invasive college basketball teams are really scary,” read one message dripping with sarcasm. “They could terrorize the city with quick dribbling, passing and (clutch your pearls) three-pointers.”
Maddock was first elected in 2018 before rising to prominence in early 2021 when he and his wife Meshawn led efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election vote in Michigan.
He was reportedly expelled from the Republican caucus in April 2022 for alleged violations of confidentiality rules, but was readmitted in January 2023.
Last July, his wife was one of 16 “fake voters” charged by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel with forgery and other crimes.