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Fact Checker Calls BS on Pro-Trump Senate Candidate's Claim that Google Is 'Hiding' His Website
CNN fact-checker Daniel Dale rose to prominence during the Trump era for his comprehensive and timely fact checks of the former President's avalanche of lies and disinformation. Though Trump is no longer in office, Dale still fact checks President Joe Biden and combats disinformation online, with much of it coming from the right wing.
Hillbilly Elegy author J.D. Vance—who recently announced his candidacy for one of Ohio's Senate seats—became notable for quite a different set of reasons.
The pro-Trump writer and venture capitalist has defended the racist "Great Replacement" conspiracy theory, as well as Fox News host Tucker Carlson—another promoter of the Great Replacement. Vance recently apologized for tweets he posted during the 2016 campaign which were critical of Trump.
But Dale's and Vance's paths crossed this week after Vance claimed Google was "hiding" his website, the latest voice in a conservative chorus claiming Big Tech is working on behalf of Democrats to censor right-wing viewpoints.
Why is Google hiding my website? \n\nhttps://JDVance.com\u00a0https://twitter.com/thechrisbuskirk/status/1413125191173955586\u00a0\u2026— J.D. Vance (@J.D. Vance) 1625750658
Vance shared a video of a Fox News interview, where he claimed Google was "attacking" him, accusing Google of being "in bed" with the Chinese Communist Party.
Dale responded that Vance's assertion Google was "hiding" his website was "nonsense."
Nonsense. Googled "JD Vance website" and the site came up on page 1. Googled "JD Vance" and the site came up on page 2, behind his Twitter, some new articles about him, the Amazon and HarperCollins pages for his bestselling book, and some bio pages.https://twitter.com/JDVance1/status/1413126799786192900\u00a0\u2026— Daniel Dale (@Daniel Dale) 1625761840
The exchange made waves on social media.
It's not censorship, it's bad SEO— James Michael (@James Michael) 1625761922
Yep, I can confirm this as well. He's at risk of alienating some supporters by saying this because all they have to do is perform a google search tho the majority will believe what he says so....Oh well.— Chris F. \ud83c\udf0e citizen \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6 \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 focused (@Chris F. \ud83c\udf0e citizen \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6 \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 focused) 1625762140
Maybe his SEO should pull itself up by its bootstraps— All good, thanks (@All good, thanks) 1625761894
Dale wasn't the only one to demonstrate that Vance was lying.
If you do not have the competence to operate a google search, not sure you're the right guy for a Senate gig...pic.twitter.com/0HKsso43aD— MutherBear (@MutherBear) 1625762756
I can find it easily. Stop fear mongering.pic.twitter.com/XGDqUunxow— Mary Quite Contrary (@Mary Quite Contrary) 1625762001
Weird. It's right there, twice.pic.twitter.com/ex2rsNbPqo— \ud83d\udd2d Office of At Weezyfuhreezy (@\ud83d\udd2d Office of At Weezyfuhreezy) 1625751695
Others claimed Vance's tweet was designed to get more people to google him.
This tweet serves two purposes: (1) Further the belief that Big Tech is censoring conservatives (because it doesn't matter if it's true; people will believe it), and (2) Get people to go to his website, either through that link, or by Googling it themselves.— Sam Nolan (@Sam Nolan) 1625762023
This is a trick. You want people to google your name and increase traffic to your site to make it seem like you\u2019re important— Preston Mack (@Preston Mack) 1625762180
People have to google it for it to get seen and you know that. Sounds like you are giving a cry for help...lol— Sunny Skyes (@Sunny Skyes) 1625750905
Ohio's Senate election will be held November 8, 2022.