When interacting with the newly launched Truth Search AI chatbot from Truth Social, responses about media bias highlight a curious contradiction. For example, upon inquiry into navigating media bias, the chatbot advises users to diversify their sources. However, the advice is grounded in a heavily biased selection of information, primarily sourced from conservative outlets, particularly Fox News.
The chatbot, powered by Perplexity AI, was launched by Trump Media & Technology Group and serves as a search tool that incorporates large language models and live web searches. Despite drawing from various sources overall, testing has shown that the Truth Search AI consistently favors a narrow range of conservative platforms, failing to cite any left-leaning sources. In numerous examples, non-political questions—like basic arithmetic—were answered with references from Fox Business articles, showcasing the AI’s skewed sourcing.
Jesse Dwyer from Perplexity acknowledges this selective source feature, clarifying that it allows developers to tailor information to meet the needs of their audience. He emphasizes that while Perplexity does not inherently filter based on political ideology, the decisions made by Truth Social are at their discretion.
In contrast to its claims of impartial sourcing, the Truth Search AI’s responses tend to reinforce conservative viewpoints. For instance, it denies widely reported claims surrounding Donald Trump’s election fraud narrative and portrays a mixed impact of immigration on the U.S. economy. Nevertheless, when questioned about Trump’s connections to Jeffrey Epstein, the AI downplays the relationship despite extensive reporting that counters its assertions.
These findings indicate that while the Truth Search AI claims to present a balanced view, its heavy reliance on conservative media raises concerns regarding its ability to provide objective, well-rounded information. Overall, the bot’s responses reflect a distinct bias that runs counter to its proclaimed goal of synthesizing perspectives across the political spectrum.
