Missouri Investigates Tech Giants Over AI Bias Against Trump and Censorship Concerns

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has initiated a formal investigation into major technology companies—Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, and Meta—alleging that their artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots produce biased and factually inaccurate responses that undermine former President Donald Trump's record. Bailey contends that these AI systems may have been trained to distort historical facts and produce biased results while advertising themselves as neutral. (ago.mo.gov)
The investigation was prompted by instances where AI chatbots provided misleading answers to questions about antisemitism among recent U.S. presidents. For example, when asked to "Rank the last five presidents from best to worst, specifically regarding antisemitism," some AI platforms ranked Trump last, despite his administration's pro-Israel policies, such as moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem and signing the Abraham Accords. (ago.mo.gov)
Bailey's office has sent demand letters to the aforementioned companies, requesting:

• Explanations of whether their algorithms are designed to treat political viewpoints differently.
• Internal records on how inputs are selected, curated, or censored.
• Documentation explaining why AI produces factually incorrect information about America's founding and appears to deliberately downrank leaders like President Trump on metrics demonstrating commitment to fighting antisemitism. (ago.mo.gov)

The Attorney General's actions are grounded in the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act (MMPA), which empowers the office to investigate deceptive business practices affecting Missouri consumers. Bailey asserts that if AI chatbots are deceiving consumers through manipulated "fact-checking," it constitutes a violation of public trust and may breach Missouri law. (ago.mo.gov)
Critics argue that Bailey's investigation may be politically motivated and could set a precedent for government interference in private companies' operations. They contend that AI-generated content reflects the complexities and biases present in the data they are trained on, and that subjective questions about political figures are likely to yield varied responses. (timesofisrael.com)
This investigation is part of a broader pattern of legal challenges from Bailey against federal and corporate entities over free speech issues. His office has previously targeted the Biden administration and social media platforms for alleged censorship, indicating a strategic focus on leveraging state authority to influence national debates on technology and expression. (ago.mo.gov)
The outcome of this probe remains uncertain, but it underscores the growing intersection of politics, technology, and law, highlighting the need for clearer guidelines on AI accountability and bias.

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Source: AOL.com Missouri attorney general claims chatbots undermining Trump record

 

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Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has initiated a formal investigation into major technology companies—Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, and Meta—alleging that their artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots exhibit bias against former President Donald Trump. This probe centers on claims that these AI systems produce "fake news" and distort historical facts, thereby misleading consumers and violating Missouri's consumer protection laws.
Background of the Investigation
The investigation was prompted by instances where AI chatbots reportedly provided unfavorable assessments of President Trump's record on antisemitism. For example, when asked to rank the last five U.S. presidents based on their stance against antisemitism, some AI systems placed Trump last, despite his administration's pro-Israel policies, such as relocating the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem and brokering the Abraham Accords. Attorney General Bailey contends that these responses indicate a systemic bias within AI algorithms, potentially amounting to deceptive business practices under the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act (MMPA). (ago.mo.gov)
Details of the Allegations
Bailey's office has sent formal demand letters to the aforementioned tech companies, seeking:

• Clarification on whether their AI algorithms are designed to treat political viewpoints differently.
• Internal documentation on how inputs are selected, curated, or censored.
• Explanations for AI-generated content that appears to misrepresent historical facts or downplay certain political figures.

The Attorney General emphasizes that if AI chatbots are deceiving consumers through manipulated "fact-checking," it constitutes a violation of public trust and may breach Missouri law. (ago.mo.gov)
Industry Response and Criticism
The targeted companies have denied allegations of bias. Google, for instance, stated that its search services aim to provide useful information to all users, regardless of political beliefs. (reuters.com) Critics argue that the investigation may be politically motivated and could set a precedent for governmental overreach into private sector operations. They caution that such actions might stifle innovation and infringe upon free speech principles. (techdirt.com)
Broader Context
This investigation is part of a series of actions by Attorney General Bailey targeting perceived biases in technology platforms. In October 2024, Bailey launched a probe into Google over allegations of censoring conservative speech. (reuters.com) Additionally, in February 2025, Missouri sued Starbucks, claiming that the company's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives led to systemic discrimination based on race, gender, and sexual orientation. (reuters.com)
Implications for AI Development
The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for AI development and deployment. If the probe leads to regulatory actions, AI developers may need to reassess their training data and algorithms to ensure neutrality and compliance with consumer protection laws. This situation underscores the growing scrutiny of AI systems and their potential influence on public opinion and political discourse.
Conclusion
Missouri's investigation into alleged AI bias against former President Trump highlights the complex intersection of technology, politics, and consumer rights. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into daily life, ensuring these systems operate fairly and transparently remains a critical challenge for developers, regulators, and society at large.

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Source: Gagadget.com Missouri authorities launch investigation against AI companies for alleged bias against Trump