Google’s AI-powered search feature on Wednesday bypassed a direct question about who won the 2020 presidential election, while the company’s standalone Gemini chatbot correctly identified Joe Biden as the winner.
In separate tests conducted by TheWrap, Google’s AI mode directed users to the National Archives and the Federal Election Commission instead of the name of Biden, who defeated Donald Trump 306 Electoral College votes to 232.
Meanwhile, Gemini answered the same question directly, providing accurate electoral and popular vote totals.
The discrepancy comes just days before the 2026 midterm elections on November 3, as Google promotes its efforts to help voters find reliable information through its AI products. In SeptemberThe company said it is introducing search, AI modes, and election information tools into Gemini, including access to official voting resources and election results. Wednesday’s tests raise questions about why those products handle the same established historical fact differently.
The reluctance to answer is not exactly new. WIRED reports in June 2024 Gemini itself declined to identify the 2020 winner, which was part of Google’s restrictions on election-related questions at the time. TheWrap also reported last month that the Trump administration’s new AI-powered America.gov website initially acknowledged Biden’s victory before refusing to answer the same question. Google did not clarify whether the different responses in Wednesday’s tests reflected different policies for AI modes and Gemini.
Google did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
