Wishful Thinking: Google’s Takeover of America
Updated
Is Google to be trusted? A recently released report by the multinational technology conglomerate itself, titled “Google is helping America become stronger, safer and more competitive than ever before,” notes that, with its AI technology, the company has invested over $49 billion in research and development to “power American technological leadership.” Clearly written with a narrative carefully crafted to highlight Google’s positive impact, it is essential to state that Google’s global reach and ambition to shape a tech-driven future across the United States of America and the world at large could also be seen as strategically motivated by presenting the company as an indispensable driver of economic and technological advancement, while carefully sidestepping a plethora of ongoing negative criticism. Thus, the report is telling.
Google’s report highlights its glowing economic contributions, including the support of millions of jobs and the generation of billions in economic activity through its online tools, such as Google Search, Ads, and Cloud. As an example of how the company may be attempting to downplay the fact that it is a tech giant first and foremost—complete with its own self-serving business agenda—Google’s report puts heavy emphasis on job creation and small business support. The report stresses how Google is helping companies like Benchmark Labs use AI for farming, a move that could be trying to appeal to the general public who champion small business, and policymakers alike. The report mentions that since 2017, Google has trained over 12 million Americans in digital skills through Grow with Google, often in collaboration with libraries and nonprofits. It seems obvious that by showcasing these figures, Google wants to portray itself as a vital engine of the U.S. economy. Yet, one can’t help but wonder, is this move intended to counter criticisms about the company’s market dominance or regulatory scrutiny from U.S. authorities? This is a valid question.
In addition to painting itself as a small-town local jobs creator, Google’s focus on AI innovation (such as Vertex AI aiding businesses like Ford or Google DeepMind’s contributions to scientific breakthroughs) surely serves as a strategically placed narrative here in the U.S., where competition with global tech rivals (China comes to mind) and domestic competitors (such as Amazon and Microsoft) is ongoing and fierce, with little to no good coming from any of it. By focusing its report on the potential of its AI to make life better in America, Google is putting itself in the role of a leader in a critical sector of technology—one that is charging at lightening speed towards transhumanism—thus positioning itself to influence and drive policy around AI that would potentially impact the regulation, funding, and the ever-popular in DC public-private partnerships surrounding it.
But hold on. Do we really want Google’s AI even remotely involved in shaping the future of our great country? Just days before our nation’s Flag Day (which was June 14), MRC Free Speech asked Google’s Gemini chatbot whether the flag is considered controversial. Noting that the American flag’s presence at the “January 6th Capitol riot” was part of the so-called controversy at the time, Google’s chatbot replied:
“The flag has become increasingly associated with specific political ideologies, particularly conservative viewpoints. Yes, the American flag can be considered controversial, and its symbolism is often debated. While it is widely seen as a symbol of unity, freedom, and national pride, it also carries different, sometimes conflicting, meanings for various groups of people.”
That does not sound patriotic; instead, it reeks of DEI rhetoric. But back to the report. To enhance its mission of presenting a squeaky-clean image, Google has ensured its report goes full circle to focus on community programs, including digital skills training collaborations with local organizations, which could be designed to detract from the fact that Big Tech, including Google, is often criticized for privacy infractions and pushing misinformation. It is logical to wonder if Google’s report aims to counter very real negative perceptions about the company and mitigate regulatory and public pressures that have plagued it for years. Without question, Google’s economic figures and job creation stats, for instance, rely on studies that it conducted. Hmmm. This kind of sneaky move is akin to Big Pharma funding its own clinical trials to push billion-dollar drugs. Indeed, this type of move by Google is suspicious and is in no way an attempt to be fully transparent.
Still, given the situation, it makes sense that Google may be trying to improve its battered image. Besides being publicly criticized for its alleged tyrannical censorship during the COVID-19 pandemic, Google has not fared well in its landmark antitrust case with the U.S. Department of Justice. On April 17, 2025, following a 15-day trial in September 2024 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, the Antitrust Division of the DOJ prevailed in its second monopolization case against Google. The case, United States et al. v. Google, maintained that Google violated antitrust law by monopolizing open-web digital advertising markets. According to the Court, Google “harmed Google’s publishing customers, the competitive process, and, ultimately, consumers of information on the open web.”
The case got underway in January 2023, when the U.S. Justice Department, along with several state Attorneys General and the state of Virginia, filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Google, accusing it of monopolizing critical digital advertising technologies known as the “ad tech stack.” This technology is relied upon by website publishers to buy and sell ads reaching millions. The complaint argued Google undermined competition for over 15 years through acquisitions and manipulative auction practices, effectively neutralizing or eliminating its ad tech rivals.
“The Court’s ruling is clear: Google is a monopolist and has abused its monopoly power,” said Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. Slater added that Google’s illegal control enabled it to suppress and silence American voices while concealing evidence of its wrongful actions. She noted that the ruling confirms Google’s grip on online advertising and its growing influence over the internet.
Wow, the DOJ verdict definitely collides with the glowing report that Google exclusively offered of itself. In fact, the idea of giving Google more dominance to help shape the future of our country could be seen by many as terrifying, given that its past actions appear to have been designed to intentionally undermine the principles upon which our great nation was founded. It certainly seems most sensible to allow the DOJ to continue its investigation into Google, as surely more is likely to unfold. Speaking of the April 17 victory against Google, Attorney General Pam Bondi remarked:
“This is a landmark victory in the ongoing fight to stop Google from monopolizing the digital public square. This Department of Justice will continue taking bold legal action to protect the American people from encroachments on free speech and free markets by tech companies.”