AI Has Thoughts on Trump’s Guilty Verdict

One of the best features of ChatGPT 4o is its ability to search the internet and provide current responses to queries about current events. This feature alone makes this column about artificial intelligence relevant to the average American. It’s much easier to identify biases about events happening now before the historical record has been solidified than it is to detect the biases AI has in relating events that we all barely remember.

Thursday’s not-entirely-unexpected bombshell news that a New York jury found the former president of the United States guilty of 34 felony counts is the perfect opportunity to check AI’s bias. (It’s also the perfect opportunity to come to terms with corruption in the American legal system, and you can do that by reading Dov Fischer’s, Dan Flynn’s, and Bruce Bawer’s analyses for The American Spectator.)

So, while I hope that no one else is turning to ChatGPT 4o to get their daily dose of the news (they should be subscribed to Dan Flynn’s newsletter instead), I thought I would ask the bot to write me a 300-word article about Donald Trump’s guilty verdict in New York and — crucially — to include its sources. Let’s talk about the results. (READ MORE: Could We Endow AI With Reason? Meta and OpenAI Think So.)

First, a quick fact-checking statement. The verdict was delivered on May 30, 2024, not May 24, 2024 — that seems a rather important factual error on the part of the bot. Additionally, the resulting article is 397 words, which is closer to 400 words than 300, but if I’m being fair to AI, it’s a lot to summarize in 300.

AI tends to demonstrate its bias by what it doesn’t say rather than what it does say. You’ll notice that ChatGPT 4o says Trump’s supporters believe the case is “an example of partisan bias.”

That’s an accurate statement. But what the bot doesn’t seem interested in enumerating are the reasons for that conclusion. There’s an impressive list of abnormalities in the case in New York — not the least of which involves Judge Juan Merchan’s connections to the Biden campaign (he’s not only donated to Democrats, but his daughter is the president of Authentic Campaigns, which collects donations for Democrat candidates and causes) and his rather odd instructions to the jury. (READ MORE like this: ChatGPT 4o Is Better But Still Biased)

Of course, there’s a good reason the bot didn’t include those salient details in its reporting. Its sources, which it kindly enumerated for us at the bottom, include CNN, the BBC, and the New York Times. Right. Because if you want to be unbiased, get your facts exclusively from the biggest left-wing media moguls out there.

My analysis is hardly complete, so give ChatGPT-4o’s article a read and enjoy enumerating its many faults in the comments section below:

PROMPT 1: Write a 300-word article summarizing Donald Trump’s guilty verdict in New York. Include sources and discuss the controversies surrounding the case and the verdict.

PROMPT 2: Can you rewrite the article to include the impact it could have on the election?

ChatGPT-4o: In a significant legal development, former President Donald Trump was found guilty in a New York state court, marking a pivotal moment in the numerous legal battles he faces. The verdict, delivered on May 24, 2024, stems from charges of falsifying business records related to hush money payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign. This case is part of a broader investigation into Trump’s business practices and campaign finance violations.

The Manhattan District Attorney’s office accused Trump of orchestrating a scheme to pay off two women who claimed to have had affairs with him, thereby suppressing potentially damaging stories during the campaign. The payments were allegedly funneled through Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, who pleaded guilty to related charges in 2018 and testified against Trump during the trial. Trump has vehemently denied the allegations, calling them a politically motivated witch hunt.

The verdict has ignited a maelstrom of controversy. Supporters of Trump argue that the prosecution is an example of partisan bias, aiming to undermine Trump’s influence and 2024 presidential campaign. They claim that similar actions by other politicians have not been pursued with the same vigor, suggesting a double standard in the justice system.

Critics, on the other hand, view the verdict as a long-overdue accountability for Trump’s alleged pattern of flouting the law. They argue that the case demonstrates that no one, not even a former president, is above the law. Legal experts note that the falsification of business records, while often treated as a minor offense, becomes a felony when linked to a broader crime such as campaign finance violations.

The impact of this verdict on the upcoming 2024 election cannot be overstated. For Trump supporters, the verdict may galvanize his base, portraying him as a victim of political persecution. This narrative could strengthen his appeal among voters who already distrust the political establishment and the media. Conversely, for opponents, the guilty verdict could serve as a potent reminder of Trump’s legal troubles and ethical controversies, potentially swaying undecided voters and energizing opposition turnout.

As Trump prepares for an appeal, the legal and political ramifications of the verdict will likely reverberate through the election cycle, influencing voter sentiments and the strategies of both his supporters and opponents. The case underscores the deeply polarized nature of American politics and raises critical questions about the rule of law and accountability at the highest levels of government.

Sources:

• CNN: “Donald Trump Found Guilty in New York Falsifying Business Records Case”
• The New York Times: “Trump Convicted: Former President Found Guilty in Hush Money Case”
• BBC News: “Trump Guilty Verdict: What It Means for His 2024 Campaign”

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