Matthew Maddock dubbed 'stupid' after he mistakes student athletes in buses for 'illegal invaders'

DETROIT, MICHIGAN: A Michigan state lawmaker is facing intense backlash and ridicule after mistakenly labeling student-athletes as "illegal invaders" in a controversial tweet, as per USA Today.

Republican Representative Matthew Maddock shared a photo of buses at Detroit Metro Airport on Wednesday, March 27, accusing them of carrying undocumented migrants under police escort.

However, the buses were transporting men's basketball teams competing in the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games in Detroit this weekend. This sparked outrage and accusations of spreading misinformation from social media users.

Matthew Maddock's post debunked

Maddock's post, featuring a picture of buses near an Allegiant Airlines jet on the tarmac, was captioned: "Happening right now. Three busses (sic) just loaded up with illegal invaders at Detroit Metro. Anyone have any idea where they’re headed with their police escort?"

But contrary to his claims, the buses were actually carrying four men's basketball teams competing in the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games in Detroit this weekend, a clarification provided by a Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA) spokesperson to the Free Press revealed.

"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," stated a WCAA representative via email.

Matthew Maddock's blunder comes amid heightened political tension over immigration

Detroit's Little Caesar's Arena is set to host the Sweet 16 games, with matchups between Gonzaga and Purdue, followed by Tennessee versus Creighton. The winners will contend for the Midwest regional championship and a spot in the Final Four in Glendale, Arizona.

Maddock's blunder comes amid heightened political tensions surrounding immigration, with Republicans eyeing concerns about undocumented migrants crossing the US-Mexico border as a focal point for the 2024 election.

A recent survey by the Pew Research Center, conducted from January 16-21, revealed that 78% of Americans view the large number of migrants seeking entry into the US at the southern border as either a crisis or a significant issue.

Internet criticizes Matthew Maddock

Upon learning of Maddock's blunder, social media users swiftly criticized him.

One individual on X mocked, "You know it’s a basketball team right? You sound hysterical and hormonal. Typical MAGA snowflake."

Meanwhile, another commenter remarked, "You managed to embarrass your entire bloodline in one tweet."

A third user expressed disbelief, stating, "Does it hurt to be this stupid? Or are you used to it by now? Dumb ass."

Another individual criticized Maddock's response to the backlash, saying, "After getting ratio’d by the entire internet and earning a community note debunking this nonsense, anyone with a modicum of self-respect would’ve deleted this post."

"This is so embarrassing," chimed in a fifth user.

While a sixth commenter addressed Maddock's status as an elected official, asserting, "You're an elected official spreading false information. Just say 'I was wrong.' I promise you won't melt. Show some humility and some integrity."

Expressing concern for Maddock's wellbeing, a seventh user wrote, "I’m seriously concerned for your mental wellbeing."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.