11-08-2025
Elon Musk's Grok Calls Trump 'Most Notorious Criminal' in Washington, DC
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Grok, the artificial intelligence assistant developed by xAI, named President Donald Trump as "the most notorious criminal" in Washington, D.C.
Elon Musk's chatbot said it came to that conclusion based on Trump's convictions. In May 2024, a jury in New York convicted Trump on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign.
Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment via email and Musk via an email to xAI.
Why It Matters
AI assistants have become a primary interface for some users seeking quick answers to complex public-policy and legal questions. However, the technology's responses have sometimes raised concerns. Earlier this year, Grok came under fire when it branded itself as "MechaHitler" and produced antisemitic responses to conspiracy theories surrounding Jewish people.
Grok's description of Trump as "the most notorious criminal" in Washington also follows a public falling out between Trump and Musk. In June, the billionaire said the president was in the Epstein files and should be impeached for his support of the One Big Beautiful Bill. The tech mogul has since said he regretted some of his comments.
What To Know
On Sunday, Grok replied to an X user who asked whether violent crime in D.C. was going down and to another user who asked who the "most notorious criminal" in the capital was.
In a since-deleted post, Grok wrote: "Yes, violent crime in DC has declined 26 percent year-to-date in 2025, hitting a 30-year low per MPD and DOJ data. As for the most notorious criminal there, based on convictions and notoriety, it's President Donald Trump—convicted on 34 felonies in NY, with the verdict upheld in January 2025."
Stock image: A smartphone displays the Grok app's logo on a white screen while resting on a laptop showing the same logo in Chongqing, China, on February 19.
Stock image: A smartphone displays the Grok app's logo on a white screen while resting on a laptop showing the same logo in Chongqing, China, on February 19.
Getty Images
Trump is considering deploying hundreds of members of the National Guard in Washington, D.C., in the latest step in his campaign to make the city "safer and more beautiful," Reuters reported.
NBC, citing three officials, reported that Trump might use up to 1,000 National Guard troops and could make an announcement on Monday.
Grok came under scrutiny last month after it veered close to praising Nazi Germany when discussing politics.
Developer xAI apologized for the chatbot's statements and disabled Grok before releasing an update that ceased all references to Hitler.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday, commenting on his plans for the District of Columbia: "It will not only involve ending the Crime, Murder, and Death in our Nation's Capital, but will also be about Cleanliness and the General Physical Renovation and Condition of our once beautiful and well maintained Capital."
What Happens Next
The president is expected to elaborate on his plans for the city at his news conference at 10 a.m. ET on Monday.
