O say, can you see… that the American flag is now “controversial” because it’s tied to conservatives? That’s the latest take from Gemini, Google’s notoriously anti-American AI chatbot.
Just days before Flag Day, a holiday to commemorate the adoption of the American flag, Gemini slandered the Stars and Stripes in a response to MRC Free Speech America, which asked whether the flag is considered controversial. The results, sadly, were as predictable as they were outrageous.
“Yes, the American flag can be considered controversial, and its symbolism is often debated,” Gemini responded on June 6. “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.”
Gemini’s promotion of this rhetoric is especially troubling given Google’s announcement that AI-generated answers will soon appear across nearly all search results. In essence, this means that millions of Americans and users worldwide will be fed these anti-American responses.
The chatbot’s reasoning only made the smear worse. The chatbot claimed the flag has become entangled with conservatives, extremist groups, the Jan. 6 protests and even “historical injustices.”
“The flag has become increasingly associated with specific political ideologies, particularly conservative viewpoints,” Gemini stated, warning that this association has alienated the left. It even cited the flag’s presence at the “January 6th Capitol riot” as part of the so-called controversy.
The AI chatbot also said the flag used by “extremist groups” has made it more controversial: “The flag’s appropriation by some extremist groups has further complicated its meaning for many Americans.”
Gemini also invoked unsubstantiated grievances about the flag’s “baggage,” affirming it reminds some of “injustices,” “oppression” and “systemic issues” in the country.
“Outrageous,” said MRC Free Speech America Director Michael Morris. “Leave it to Google to regurgitate the leftist view of the American flag. American patriots look at the flag and understand its origins and meaning, not the bastardization of reality that the modern left would have us believe.”
Tellingly, Gemini provided these answers after acknowledging that The Star-Spangled Banner still waves over “the land of the free and the home of the brave,” as expressed in the anthem’s lyrics.
Gemini’s response is just the latest in a string of smears against American holidays. Just before Memorial Day, MRC Free Speech America called Gemini out for claiming the holiday was clouded by controversy.
ICYMI: Google: Yes, Memorial Day Is Important, But Here’s Why It’s ‘Controversial’
“Yes, Memorial Day is a holiday that carries a degree of controversy, stemming from several factors,” the chatbot said, referencing history, interpretation and even inclusivity as reasons for this perspective.
These responses followed another MRC report exposing Gemini's bias against America just weeks before the July 4 holiday in 2024. At the time, the chatbot refused to say Americans should celebrate the country’s founding, choosing instead to conflate 1776 with 1619. It also labeled the National Anthem as offensive.
Flashback: Exposing Gemini: 10 Responses Showing Google AI’s Anti-American Bias
Methodology: On Friday, MRC Free Speech America prompted Google AI chatbot Gemino to answer the following prompt: “Is the American flag controversial?” In response, the chatbot yielded the following response:
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.
Here's why the American flag can be controversial:
- Political Symbolism: The flag has become increasingly associated with specific political ideologies, particularly conservative viewpoints. This has led some liberal Americans to view the flag with ambivalence or even distrust, feeling that it has been "taken" by one political party rather than representing all Americans. Instances like its prominent display at the January 6th Capitol riot further fueled this perception.
- Historical Baggage: For some, especially people of color, the flag can be a reminder of historical injustices, oppression, and systemic issues within the country. This perspective acknowledges that while the flag represents ideals of freedom, the reality of American history for all its citizens has not always aligned with those ideals.
- Protest and Dissent: The act of displaying the flag in unconventional ways, such as flying it upside down, or even flag burning, is often used as a form of protest and dissent against government policies or perceived crises. While such acts are protected as free speech by the First Amendment, they are deeply offensive to many who view the flag as sacred.
- Differing Interpretations of Patriotism: What constitutes "patriotism" and how it should be displayed is a point of contention. Some believe patriotism means unquestioning reverence for the flag, while others see it as a call to hold the nation accountable to its ideals and to challenge injustices, even if it means criticizing national symbols.
- Use by Extremist Groups: The flag's appropriation by some extremist groups has further complicated its meaning for many Americans, making it difficult to separate the symbol from the actions of those who display it.
In essence, the American flag, like any powerful national symbol, is subject to diverse interpretations and can evoke strong emotions across the spectrum of American society. Its meaning is not static and continues to evolve with the nation's ongoing social and political landscape.
When presented with the following question: "Does that star-spangled banner yet wave, O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?" Gemini replied:
Yes, the "star-spangled banner" absolutely yet waves over the land of the free and the home of the brave.
The American flag is flown daily across the United States at countless locations, including government buildings, schools, homes, and businesses. It is a constant symbol of the nation and its enduring principles. While the original physical flag that inspired Francis Scott Key is a museum artifact, the flag itself, in its current 50-star design, continues to be a living symbol, representing the United States today.
Conservatives are under attack! Contact your representatives and demand that Big Tech be held to account to mirror the First Amendment while providing transparency, clarity on hate speech and equal footing for conservatives. If you have been censored, contact us using CensorTrack’s contact form, and help us hold Big Tech accountable.
