Michigan state Rep. Maddock blasted for falsely calling Gonzaga University’s team bus ‘illegal invaders’

Michigan state Rep. Matt Maddock (R-Milford) is facing widespread condemnation after he made an X post Wednesday night falsely claiming that team busses for the Gonzaga University men’s basketball team were full of “illegal invaders.”

“Happening right now. Three busses just loaded up with illegal invaders at Detroit Metro,” the post reads. “Anyone have any idea where they’re headed with their police escort?”

Happening right now. Three busses just loaded up with illegal invaders at Detroit Metro. Anyone have any idea where they’re headed with their police escort? @petehoekstra pic.twitter.com/3xFhIP1jf1

— Matt Maddock (@matthewmaddock) March 28, 2024

The X post garnered a Community Note after it was confirmed by local media that the buses, which were landing at the Detroit Metro Airport, were transporting the Gonzaga basketball team into Detroit for their NCAA men’s tournament game on Friday. When a user attempted to tell him it could be a men’s college basketball team, Maddock replied, “Sure kommie. Good talking point.”

Despite his baseless claim being thoroughly debunked, Maddock doubled down on theory Thursday morning where he said the “#FakeNews” can’t be trusted to investigate this issue.

“We know this is happening. 100,000’s of illegals are pouring into out country. We know it’s happening in Michigan. Our own governor is offering money to take them in!”

Since the Community Note, Maddock defended his post with seven more posts as of 3:15 p.m. CST.

Maddock has served in the Michigan Legislature since 2019, where he has pedaled several unfounded theories about the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 presidential election. Last August, Maddock’s wife Meshawn became one of 16 Republicans who were indicted for attempting to overturn the state’s presidential election results in 2020. That same month, Meshawn hosted a pool party at the couple’s Oakland County house to fundraise for legal expenses.