Michigan State Rep. Matt Maddock this week drew hackles when he falsely accused the Gonzaga men's basketball team of being immigrant "invaders."
Writing on Twitter Wednesday night, Maddock posted a photo of a plane landing at the Detroit Metro Airport and then baselessly speculated it was filled with migrants who had been shipped from the southern border up to his state.
Maddock seemed particularly annoyed that the "invaders" in question were getting a special police escort.
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"Happening right now," he wrote. "Three busses just loaded up with illegal invaders at Detroit Metro. Anyone have any idea where they’re headed with their police escort?"
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But Maxwell White of local Detroit-based news station WXYZ did some basic homework on the photos and confirmed that it was the Gonzaga basketball team, which had flown into town to compete in the Sweet 16 basketball tournament being held in Michigan over the weekend.
"Just to be clear, this was the Gonzaga basketball team," he reported. "Photos show Gonzaga getting on an Allegiant plane to Detroit for the Sweet 16, and Flight Radar shows a plane from GEG to DTW landed at 7:25 p.m., around the time this photo was posted. This is a wild tweet."
Maddock's tweet was quick to draw ridiculed from some Democratic politicians, both in his state and outside.
"Hey Einstein, your state is hosting the Sweet 16," wrote Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA). "Could it be a team bus? If it is, will you resign for your spectacular stupidity?"
Michigan State Sen. Mallory McMorrow also piled on to mock Maddock.
"A sitting State Representative sees a group of busses at the airport and immediately yells 'illegal invaders' which is a pretty rude (and also, frankly, dangerous) way to greet the Gonzaga Men’s Basketball Team arriving for March Madness," she cracked.
One of Maddock's followers even informed him of his mistake, but the Michigan Republican replied by saying, "Sure kommie. Good talking point."
