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 Representative Matt Maddock confused a Gonzaga's men's basketball team buses for 'illegal invaders'. 

The Bulldogs touched down at Detroit Metro Airport Wednesday night ahead of their Sweet 16 game against the 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 Representative Maddock. 

Maddock, who claims he's endorsed by former President Donald Trump in his X bio, shared photos of Gonzaga's plane - an Allegiant Airways plane - and the three team buses waiting at the end of the runway to X. 

He claimed the buses, which appeared to have a police escort, had been loaded up with 'illegal invaders'. 

'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?' he posted, tagging Pete Hoekstra, Michigan GOP chairman. 

But Maddock, an election denier who has predicted another US civil war, was left humiliated when X's factchecker was forced to add a footnote to his post, clarifying that the buses were in fact carrying the basketball team, not illegal immigrants. 

'The buses and police escort are for the Gonzaga University men's basketball team, who are playing a Sweet Sixteen game at Little Caesar's Arena in Detroit on Fri. 3/29,' the warning read, adding four links to tweets correcting Maddock's post.   

Despite being corrected by the social media platform, Maddock doubled down on his claim Thursday morning. 

'We know this is happening. 100,000's 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 - aka Detroit Metro - also attempted to debunk Maddock's claims Thursday afternoon, issuing a clarification.

'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,' the WCAA said. 

According to Flight Aware, only one Allegiant flight landed at DTW on Wednesday, touching down at 7.26pm – about an hour before Maddock posted his claim.

The three buses did receive a police escort to the team hotel, which is standard procedure for traveling teams. 

Social media users blasted Maddock for his claim in the replies to his initial post.  

'Probably teams for the NCAA Mens Sweet 16 playing at LCA on Friday and Sunday,' one user wrote along with a number of clown emojis, to which Maddock replied: 'Sure kommie. Good talking point.' 

'That plane came from Spokane Washington Home of Gonzaga who just so happens to be playing in Detroit for the sweet 16,' another user posted. 'Those buses are for the team and their equipment. If you’re gonna fear monger on the TL you better step your game up.'

'You know it’s a basketball team right?' another account called 'Lynda hates GOP thugs' asked. 'You sound hysterical and hormonal. Typical MAGA snowflake.' 

Another chimed in, adding: 'I’m just trying to figure out why so many people accidentally marked your name on a ballot.' 

'Thanks for the warning. Those invader college basketball teams are really scary,' one post dripping in sarcasm read. 'They might terrorize the city with rapid dribbling, passing, and (clutch your pearls) three pointers.' 

Maddock was first elected in 2018 before gaining prominence in early 2021 when he and his wife Meshawn led efforts to overturn Michigan’s 2020 presidential election voting.

He was reportedly kicked out of the GOP caucus in April 2022 over allegedly violating confidentiality rules but was readmitted in January 2023. 

In July of last year, his wife was one of 16 'fake electors' charged with who were charged with forgery and other felonies by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.