Google’s Selective AI Search Results Raise Concerns Over Bias
On September 30, 2025, Google exhibited a troubling inconsistency by blocking AI search results for inquiries regarding former President Donald Trump’s mental health while allowing similar queries about other presidents, reports 24brussels.
When users searched for “does trump show signs of dementia,” they were met with a notification stating that an AI Overview is unavailable for this search. Instead of a summarized overview, they received a mere list of ten web links. This pattern of behavior repeated for various questions related to Trump’s cognitive health, including inquiries into dementia and Alzheimer’s.
In stark contrast, searches regarding President Joe Biden did yield AI Overviews. Queries asking if Biden shows signs of dementia prompted Google to provide a summarized response that began, “It’s not possible to definitively state whether former President Joe Biden has dementia based solely on publicly available information.” Additionally, Google confirmed there is “no clinical diagnosis or public proof” regarding Biden’s health.
This inconsistency raises questions about the motives behind Google’s search algorithm decisions. While names like Obama triggered comprehensive AI summaries, revealing no public evidence of dementia, Trump’s name drew no such responses, suggesting potential bias in handling sensitive topics.
The underlying reasoning behind these varied outcomes remains unclear. Analysts speculate that Google may avoid providing AI overviews on sensitive issues due to concerns over accuracy and public reaction, particularly given the backlash from recent controversies involving Trump’s social media presence. Earlier this week, Google agreed to a $24.5 million settlement concerning a lawsuit around the banning of Trump’s YouTube account, highlighting the contentious environment surrounding the former president.
In response to inquiries about the lack of AI overviews for Trump’s mental acuity, Google spokesperson Davis Thompson stated, “As we’ve said, AI Overviews and AI Mode won’t show a response to every query.” This admission further underscores the opacity surrounding the search engine’s content guidelines.
The implications of these discrepancies are significant, as they may influence public perception of political figures during an election season marked by scrutiny of their health and capability to govern. With a growing reliance on AI for information, the need for transparency in search algorithms is more critical than ever.
