Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump spar on Twitter over 'Google conspiracy'
US President claims without evidence that the search engine giant manipulated 2016 election
August 20, 2019
More than 1,000 days have passed since the US presidential election in 2016, but Donald Trump continues to dispute the result of the vote that he won.
The US President, back from a week-long holiday at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, on Monday accused the search engine of “manipulating” the 2016 election.
Mr Trump won the electoral college and hence the Presidency, but lost the popular vote by almost three million votes to Ms Clinton.
On Twitter, he claimed the tech company inflated the number of votes received by his opponent:
“Wow, report just out. Google manipulated from 2.6 million to 16 million votes for Hillary Clinton in 2016 Election," Mr Trump wrote.
“This was put out by a Clinton supporter, not a Trump supporter. Google should be sued. My victory was even bigger than thought.”
Wow, Report Just Out! Google manipulated from 2.6 million to 16 million votes for Hillary Clinton in 2016 Election! This was put out by a Clinton supporter, not a Trump Supporter! Google should be sued. My victory was even bigger than thought! @JudicialWatch
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 19, 2019
He offered no evidence and appeared to be quoting psychologist Robert Epstein, who testified to the Senate last month.
Mr Epstein estimated that Google swayed between 2.6 million and 10.4 million votes.
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“Biased search results generated by Google’s search algorithm likely impacted undecided voters in a way that gave at least 2.6 million votes to Hillary Clinton, whom I supported,” the psychologist claimed.
Mrs Clinton shot back three hours later, claiming the study was not scientific and talking of Russia’s part in the election.
“The debunked study you’re referring to was based on 21 undecided voters,” she tweeted.
“For context, that’s about half the number of people associated with your campaign who have been indicted.”
The debunked study you’re referring to was based on 21 undecided voters. For context that’s about half the number of people associated with your campaign who have been indicted. https://t.co/0zHnWvGjSv
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) August 19, 2019
Mr Trump is running for a second term and a crowded field of Democrats are vying for their party’s nomination to face him.
Former vice president Joseph Biden remains a front runner, although Massachusetts’ progressive Senator Elizabeth Warren has made gains and is narrowing the margin in key early states.
The primary season will start in Iowa on February 3 but Democrats will face off in another televised debate on September 12.
Updated: August 20, 2019 03:15 PM
