In a report by the Media Research Center, Google’s influence over U.S. elections was meticulously documented, revealing a consistent pattern of interference that spans nearly two decades. The report meticulously documented instances of election meddling by Google, painting a disturbing picture of a tech behemoth using its vast resources to shape electoral outcomes in favor of leftist candidates.
The executive summary of the report did not mince words: “MRC researchers have found 41 times where Google interfered in elections over the last 16 years, and its impact has surged dramatically, making it evermore harmful to democracy. In every case, Google harmed the candidates—regardless of party—who threatened its left-wing candidate of choice.” The damning indictment set the stage for an in-depth exploration of how Google’s manipulation of information technology has skewed the political landscape.
One of the most glaring examples of Google’s interference came in 2008, which the report described as the beginning of Google’s overt involvement in election meddling. “In 2008, Google appeared to select the radical, young Barack Obama to help spur to victory over John McCain; meanwhile, it targeted support for Hillary Clinton for censorship, suspending the accounts of writers who wrote blogs critical of Obama during his primary race against Clinton.”
The early instance showed Google’s willingness to censor content and manipulate public perception to favor its chosen candidates.
The situation escalated in 2016, a pivotal year when Google’s actions became more brazen. The report highlighted: “In 2016, Google pushed Clinton, using its algorithm to exclude potentially damaging autofill results while not doing the same for then-candidates Donald Trump or Bernie Sanders. Google also worked with ‘partners’ to help likely pro-Clinton Latino voters go to the polls.”
“Just days after the election, Google executives held an all-hands-on-deck meeting to console grieving Googlers (as the staff call themselves) all over the world. Addressing the staff’s bitter tears, Google CFO Ruth Porat promised that Google would use its ‘great strength and resources and reach’ to advance its values. In effect, Google would resist President Donald Trump and prevent his second term,” the report stated.
Perhaps one of the most striking revelations concerns the 2020 elections, where Google’s interventions had a profound impact. “In 2020, Google targeted Tulsi Gabbard for censorship, disabling Gabbard’s Ads account just as she became the most searched candidate following the first Democratic Party primary debate. The tech giant also suppressed news sources critical of Biden and reportedly blocked GOP fundraising emails from reaching users’ inboxes. Google search results and even get-out-the-vote reminders favored Democrats, shifting the 2020 election results away from Trump and the GOP by at least 6 million votes.”
Looking ahead to 2024, the report warned of continued interference, stating, “In 2024, Google has been aiding Biden, burying in its search results the campaign websites of every one of his significant opponents.” The MRC Free Speech America report concluded with a series of recommendations aimed at curbing Google’s undue influence, including legislative investigations and encouraging the public to seek alternative information sources.
Google has denied the claims made by MRC.