Staff Reports
On July 13th, an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania shocked the nation. Fortunately, Trump was not severely injured, but the incident left many questioning the integrity of our digital platforms when it comes to election-related information. Recent developments suggest that Google might be omitting critical information from its core feature, Google Autocomplete, potentially influencing public perception and the upcoming election.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Why is <a href="https://twitter.com/Google?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Google</a> suppressing the search about the Trump assassination attempt? These are all screenshots from this morning. Has there been a dramatic increase in Truman biographers in the last two weeks? <br><br>I’ll be making an official inquiry into <a href="https://twitter.com/Google?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@google</a> this week – I look forward… <a href="https://t.co/GD5SOvvcdX">pic.twitter.com/GD5SOvvcdX</a></p>— Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1817633973385724239?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The Omission
Google users quickly noticed that when searching for terms related to the assassination attempt on Trump, Autocomplete failed to provide any suggested results. This anomaly was first highlighted by social media users, including a Texas congressman and Donald Trump Jr., who shared screenshots showing empty search suggestions for queries like "Trump assassination attempt." Despite the widespread news coverage of the incident, Google's Autocomplete did not display any related terms even when the entire phrase was typed in.
The Investigation
The omission has sparked a Senate investigation and raised concerns among prominent figures. Texas GOP Rep. Chip Roy and Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) both verified the issue, with Marshall planning to make an official inquiry into Google's practices. Donald Trump Jr. took to social media, accusing Google of "intentional election interference," a sentiment echoed by many who believe Big Tech is trying to influence the election in favor of Kamala Harris.
Google's Response
In response to the allegations, a Google spokesperson stated that there was no manual action taken on these predictions and that the system includes "protections" against Autocomplete predictions associated with political violence. However, this explanation has not satisfied critics who argue that Google's systems should be updated to reflect significant events accurately.
The Implications
The fact that Google's Autocomplete does not suggest searches related to the Trump assassination attempt, while similar searches for past presidents yield relevant results, raises serious questions about bias and manipulation. This incident is not isolated; it is part of a broader pattern where Big Tech companies are perceived to wield their influence to shape public opinion and political outcomes.
Conclusion
As the 2024 election approaches, the role of Big Tech in disseminating information is under intense scrutiny. The omission of key information from Google's Autocomplete feature has reignited debates about censorship, bias, and the power of digital platforms in modern democracy. It is imperative that these companies are held accountable to ensure a fair and transparent election process, free from undue influence.
Stay informed and vigilant as we navigate these critical times. Your awareness and engagement are crucial in holding powerful entities accountable and preserving the integrity of our democratic processes.
