Social media claims ignite controversy; airline yet to respond
Miami, FL – A wave of controversy erupted late Sunday night following social media claims that American Airlines deplaned an entire flight bound for Miami because the majority of passengers were wearing “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) hats, a slogan synonymous with President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign.
While the airline has yet to comment on the allegations, the claims have fueled widespread speculation and debate about free expression and potential civil rights violations.
Viral claims lack evidence
The uproar began when Douglas Macgregor, a U.S. Army veteran, took to X (formerly Twitter) to post:
“BREAKING: American Airlines deplanes an entire flight heading to Miami because 90% of the flight was wearing MAGA gear… Developing.”
Despite the bold claim, Macgregor did not provide any evidence to support the allegation. The post quickly gained traction, with others joining the conversation.
One user wrote, “American Airlines just DE-PLANED an entire flight heading to Miami because 90% of the passengers were wearing MAGA hats. Seriously insane.”
Another tweet raised concerns about legal implications, stating: “Reports claim American Airlines DEPLANED an entire flight due to 90% of passengers wearing MAGA attire. Commercial Airlines are subsidized by The Federal Government with U.S. Tax Dollars, thus you have The Right to Free Expression. To DENY this would require Criminal Prosecution due to Violation of Civil Rights.”
Airline silence intensifies speculation
As the story circulated widely online, American Airlines remained silent, refraining from issuing any immediate statements. Efforts to reach the airline for comment were met with the response that the matter was “under review.”
Political and legal ramifications
The allegations, if true, could have significant repercussions. Critics argue that removing passengers for their attire could constitute a violation of civil rights, particularly given the federal subsidies received by commercial airlines.
Supporters of President-elect Trump have seized on the claims as evidence of bias and suppression of free expression, while skeptics have called for caution, citing the lack of corroborating evidence.
An unresolved story
As the controversy continues to unfold, American Airlines faces mounting pressure to address the situation. Whether the claims are confirmed or debunked, the incident has highlighted the deep divisions and tensions surrounding political symbols in public spaces.
