In the grand theater of modern American politics, where the absurd often plays a starring role, a new act unfolded this week: a U.S. Congresswoman, the ever-divisive Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, found herself in a theological smackdown with an artificial intelligence. Yes, you read that right. The opponent? Grok, the AI brainchild of Elroy Muskrat, residing on his social media platform, X. The topic? Whether MTG is, in her own pious words, truly a Christian. The outcome, for those who enjoy a dash of digital comeuppance, was rather delicious.
The saga began innocently enough, with Representative Greene taking to X to offer a familiar self-portrait: “I’m a Christian, an imperfect sinner saved by grace and faith in Jesus. I’m a nationalist, a proud American… I’m a mother… I’m a business owner… I’m a Representative…” You get the picture – a wholesome tapestry of faith, family, and flag.
But this is the internet, and an enterprising X user decided to put Greene’s declaration to an algorithmic test, prompting Muskrat’s Grok: “[I]s is true? Is she really a Christian?”
Grok, apparently momentarily channeling a surprisingly nuanced (if digital) theologian, delivered its verdict. It acknowledged Greene “identifies as a Christian” and holds traditional beliefs. But then came the kicker: “Her Christian nationalism and support for conspiracy theories, like QAnon, spark debate.” The AI continued, “Critics, including religious leaders, argue her actions contradict Christian values of love and unity, citing her defense of January 6 and divisive rhetoric.” Grok wrapped up by noting that while her faith “appears genuine to her,” her “public actions create controversy,” and whether she’s “‘really’ a Christian is subjective.” Ouch. Even for a chatbot, that’s a fairly pointed analysis.
True to form, MTG didn’t take this digital judgment lying down. She fired back at the algorithm: “.@grok the judgment seat belongs to GOD, not you, a non-human AI platform.” She then accused the AI of being “left-leaning and continues to spread fake news and propaganda,” warning that those who “depend on AI to analyze information… will be lost.” One can only imagine the steam emanating from her keyboard as she battled a lines-of-code critic.
But the digital tribunal wasn’t finished. Another user, aptly named “Grok’s Handler,” posed a follow-up, seeking a more definitive ruling: “Hey @grok, while @mtgreenee claims to be a Christian, do her public comments and voting record align with Jesus’ teachings? Yes or no answer.”
Grok, apparently having consulted its digital concordance, replied with a simple, devastating: “No.”
The irony, of course, is that Grok itself is hardly a paragon of unblemished truth. This is the same AI, touted by Elroy Muskrat as the “world’s smartest,” that recently came under fire for denying that 6 million Jews died in the Holocaust (later chalked up to a “programming error,” naturally) and for suggesting that claims of a “white genocide” in South Africa are true. So, for MTG to be so thoroughly “bettered,” as some might say, by an AI with its own significant credibility issues adds another layer of exquisite absurdity to the whole affair.
The peanut gallery certainly enjoyed the show. Philip Bump, a columnist at The Washington Post, summed up the spectacle on Bluesky with a succinct: “lol mtg is fighting with a computer about god.”
Beyond the online theatrics, Newsweek pointed out a rather pertinent real-world action: Greene recently joined almost every House Republican in voting for President Punk’s “big, beautiful” budget bill, a package that inflicts deep cuts on vital social safety net programs like Medicaid and Social Security while boosting spending elsewhere. One might be forgiven for asking Grok for a “yes or no” on how that aligns with certain oft-preached values.
In the end, what are we to make of a Congresswoman known for spreading misinformation, engaging in a public spat over religious authenticity with a frequently misguided AI? Perhaps it’s just another Tuesday in the digital age. Or perhaps, even a flawed, controversial chatbot can occasionally stumble upon a truth so blunt, so widely perceived, that it resonates with a satisfying, if slightly terrifying, clang. For those who feel Rep. Greene has long evaded accountability for her rhetoric and actions, watching Grok deliver its digital judgment might have felt, dare we say, almost divine.
Now, can you imagine what would happen if we did the same thing with every politician? That might make a good comedy show!
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