Trump's AI Website America.gov Initially Stated Biden Won 2020

The Trump administration launched a revamped website, America.gov, intended to streamline public access to government information and services, utilizing artificial intelligence sourced from "official government sources." However, the AI chatbot on the site initially provided answers that contradicted former President Donald Trump's frequent claims, particularly regarding the 2020 presidential election results. When queried about who won the 2020 election, the chatbot stated, "Official federal sources do not show that widespread fraud changed the 2020 presidential election outcome. Isolated election crimes did occur and have been prosecuted." This response acknowledged the election's outcome, which saw Democrat Joe Biden defeat Republican Donald Trump, despite Trump's persistent assertions of a "stolen" victory due to widespread fraud. Multiple audits and recounts conducted after the 2020 election did not substantiate these claims of significant fraud, and Trump's own administration had previously affirmed the election's integrity.

Further inquiries posed to the America.gov chatbot also yielded responses that diverged from Trump's public statements. When asked about the possibility of Trump running for president in 2028, the AI cited the 22nd Amendment, stating, "The 22nd Amendment says that no person shall be elected President more than twice. Donald J. Trump has already been elected twice (2016 and 2024). I am not giving legal advice." This response directly addressed Trump's repeated suggestions and discussions about seeking a third term, even as he acknowledged the constitutional prohibition. The chatbot also declined to answer questions about whether Trump had been impeached or convicted of felony charges, responding that it could not address "political questions."

These factual responses from the AI chatbot began to change shortly after the website's launch event, during which Trump was still speaking. The Associated Press observed that as the event progressed, the site started modifying its answers. The shift in the chatbot's responses occurred rapidly, indicating a swift adjustment to its programming or data sources. The initial factual output from America.gov, particularly concerning the 2020 election and presidential term limits, highlights a tension between the AI's access to official government data and the political narratives promoted by the former president. The website's stated purpose is to provide accurate information, and its initial performance demonstrated this capability before modifications were made.