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Trump’s Threats Against Google Raise Concerns Over Election Interference
On Friday, former President Donald Trump issued a stern warning that if he regains the presidency, he plans to instruct the Justice Department to file criminal charges against Google. His assertion revolves around allegations that the tech giant is unduly promoting negative news articles about him while favorably showcasing stories about his 2024 election opponent, Kamala Harris.
This latest threat emerged through a post on Truth Social, where Trump made an abrupt claim regarding Google’s search algorithms. He contended, “It has been determined that Google has illegally used a system of only revealing and displaying bad stories about Donald J Trump, some made up for this purpose while, at the same time, only revealing good stories about Comrade Kamala Harris,” he stated.
Trump further amplified his claims by describing the situation as an “ILLEGAL ACTIVITY” and expressed hope that the Justice Department would take action against Google for what he termed “blatant interference in elections.” He added, should he win the election, he would personally seek prosecution of the company under the law.
While Trump did not delve into the reasoning behind his assertions, he seemingly overlooked the fact that negative coverage of his campaign has outnumbered that of Harris’s in recent weeks. The rationale for his sudden ire against Google remains undisclosed.
In response to the allegations, Google maintains that its search results are not manipulated to favor any specific political party. The company stated, “Both campaign websites consistently appear at the top of Search for relevant and common search queries.”
Despite this rebuttal, many conservatives have voiced concerns over perceived biases in Google’s search results, claiming they disproportionately benefit Democratic candidates. The right-leaning Media Research Center, which identifies itself as a watchdog for conservative media, has previously released findings suggesting that Google has shown favorable treatment towards Democratic figures.
The Trump campaign has also criticized the Harris campaign for utilizing Google’s “sponsored” feature in search results, which they argue promotes positive stories with narratives presented in a way that benefits Harris.
Trump’s recent comments towards Google are part of a broader pattern of hostility he has displayed towards perceived political adversaries. Earlier in the month, he threatened to instigate legal actions against various individuals, including lawyers and donors he accuses of participating in election fraud targeting his campaign, should he be victorious in the upcoming presidential race.
At a news conference this week, Trump took his rhetoric further by demanding criminal prosecution for former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, blaming her for failing to avert the January 6 Capitol riots, which were incited by his supporters in an attempt to disrupt the transition of power following the 2020 election.
Additionally, during a campaign rally in Michigan, Trump called for a Republican attorney general to investigate Pelosi and her husband based on allegations regarding the sale of Visa stock prior to the Justice Department filing an antitrust lawsuit against the company.
As Trump’s rhetoric intensifies, the implications of his threats—particularly regarding the intersection of technology and politics—continue to provoke discussion and concern about the future of election integrity and freedom of expression in the digital age.
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www.theguardian.com